PEACE  AND  PROGRESS 

UC-NRLF 


^  By  NATHAN  HASKELL  DOLE    , 

8 


GIFT   OF 
Prof.    C.A.   Kofoid 


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PEACE  AND  PROGRESS 

Peace  in  Religion  and  Music  —  Peace  in  Love 
Peace  in  Death  —  Peace  in  Brotherhood  — 
Peace  Universal 


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A*  <LM  I  ( 


PEACE  AND  PROGRESS 

TWO    SYMPHONIC    POEMS 

Cfje  TBuilDing  of  t&e  SDrgan 
©nfomrD 

NATHAN  HASKELL  DOLE 


* 


BOSTON :  PRIVATELY  PRINTED 
MDCDIIII 


3kO>3 


Copyright,  1904,  by  Nathan  Haskell  Dole 


0 


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■ 

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Printed  at  The  Plimpton  Press 
Boston,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A. 


TO 

ANDREW    CARNEGIE,    LL.  D. 

LORD    RECTOR    OF   SAINT    ANDREWS    UNIVERSITY 

GIVER    OF    ORGANS    AND    LIBRARIES 

PROMOTER    OF    PEACE   AMONG    NATIONS 

THE  American  People  having,  of  their  Generosity, 
granted  to  you  a  magnificent  Share  in  the  Natural 
Monopolies  of  this  great  Country,  you  have  accumulated 
a  colossal  Fortune  which  you  have  splendidly  recognized 
as  a  sacred  Trust  to  be  administered  for  the  Benefit  of  your 
Fellow  Men.  In  honour  of  this  Act  of  Justice  it  gives 
me  Pleasure  to  dedicate  to  you  the  Symphonic  Poems 
here  printed  as  a  Contribution  to  the  three  inspiring 
Causes  which  I  would  desire  to  serve  with  my  best 
Powers— MUSIC,  LITERATURE,  and  PEACE. 

NATHAN  HASKELL  DOLE 


Ml 


THE 
BUILDING  OF  THE  ORGAN 

A  SYMPHONIC  POEM 

IN 

FIVE  MOVEMENTS 


PART  FIRST.     PROLOGUE 

SONG  OF  THE  PINES 

1 

High  on  the  mountain  side 

Sturdily  planted, 
Lifting  our  heads  in  pride, 
Spreading  our  branches  wide, 
Ever  green,  ever  young  we  abide, 

Old  and  undaunted. 

Storm-winds  around  us  roar, 

Tempests  assail  us; 
Thunder-clouds  flash  and  score 
Scars  on  our  brows;  we  soar 
Undismayed  o'er  the  chasm  evermore : 

Nothing  can  quail  us. 
[9] 


3 

Lured  by  our  balmy  crests 
Dreamily  swaying, 

Eagles  their  eyrie-nests 
\  A$Tj3cfc  :they  are  welcome  guests 

Winging  home  from  their  far-sweeping  quests, 
:  )  "■  i     i   Weary  of  slaying. 

4 

Down  on  the  horizon's  bound 

Gleams  the  old  Ocean. 
Hark!  hear  the  solemn  sound 
Thrilling  the  air  around, 
Like  the  chant  of  the  cherubim  crowned 

Bowed  in  devotion! 


II 

VOICE  OF  AN  ANCIENT  PINE 

1 

Oft  at  Midnight's  marvellous  hour, 
When  in  the  zenith  the  Stars  are  in  flower, 
Voices  prophetic  sweep  thro'  the  Skies, 
Deep  undertones  from  the  Ocean  arise. 

They  tell  of  Mysteries  known  to  the  Few  — 
Only  the  Wisest  can  follow  the  Clue ! 
Changes  impending:  earthquakes  and  storms, 
Death  and  Destruction  in  manifold  forms. 

[10] 


3 

New  Order  grows  from  the  tumult  of  Strife; 
Death  gives  way  ever  to  perfecter  Life, 
Forests  must  fall  that  Cities  may  grow  — 
Mountains  be  levelled  that  Rivers  may  flow. 

4 

Over  the  Sea  even  now  come  the  Sails 
Borne  by  the  breath  of  Beneficent  Gales. 
Woodsmen  with  axes  will  level  our  Pride  — 
Miners  will  delve  for  the  Treasure  we  hide ! 


Yet  we  rejoice  in  the  Grief  and  the  Pain, 
Turning  our  loss  into  cosmical  Gain ; 
Bend  to  the  Steel  and  welcome  the  Fire  — 
Thus  rise  to  God,  whither  all  things  aspire. 


Ill 

SONG  OF  THE  BENEFICENT  GALES 

1 

We  are  Daughters  of  the  Sky 
And  on  viewless  wings  we  fly, 
Swooping  low  or  sweeping  high 

On  the  mighty  errands  we  are  chosen  to  fulfil. 
Now  we  bring  the  fruitful  rain 
To  the  parcht  and  thirsty  Plain; 
Now  we  grind  the  golden  grain 

By  our  tireless  breathing  on  the  wide  vans  of  the  Mill. 

[11] 


2 

We  dispel  the  sullen  Clouds 
Piling  up  in  massive  crowds 
When  the  Fog  the  horizon  shrouds, 

And  we  bring  the  cheerful  Sun  again  to  glad  the  World; 
Swifter  than  the  albatross 
Drive  the  gallant  fleets  across 
Boundless  Deeps  whose  billows  toss, 

Vying  with  us  till  they  reach  the  Port  where  sails  are  furled. 

3 

Wild  seolian  symphonies 

Play  we  on  the  Forest-trees, 

While  the  deep  bass  of  the  Seas 
Booms  on  every  beach  and  headland  of  the  echoing  Main. 

Then  we  bend  the  feathery  reeds 

Where  the  crested  Heron  feeds, 

And  a  weird,  faint  tone  succeeds 
Like  the  sighing  of  a  Lover  dying  of  his  pain. 

4 
Laden  with  the  scent  of  Flowers, 
Comrades  of  the  sunny  Hours, 
Yet  we  hold  unbounded  powers : 

Full  of  joy  we  sing,  and  yet  if  barriers  stir  our  wrath, 
Then  in  phalanx  vast  we  rise 
Roaring  thro'  the  shuddering  Skies 
And  whatever  Foe  defies 

Him  we  hurl  in  ruin  from  our  devastating  Path! 


[12] 


IV 
SONG  OF  THE  PROSPECTOR 


Thro'  trackless  leagues  of  Wilderness 
With  steadfast  purpose  on  I  press. 
At  Night  my  lone,  unsheltered  camp 
Is  lighted  by  the  Fire-fly's  lamp. 
With  stern  Privation  at  my  side 
I  follow  Fortune  as  my  guide. 

2 

A  thousand  disappointments  cheat 
The  wanderings  of  my  weary  feet. 
What  gleams  from  far  like  yellow  gold, 
When  hardly  won,  is  turned  to  mould. 
Yet  tho'  by  wild  Illusion  tried 
I  follow  Fortune  as  my  guide. 

3 

Ravines  I  scan  with  practist  Eye 
Where  stores  of  buried  wealth  may  lie. 
The  mountain  Bear,  the  treacherous  Pard, 
Those  hidden  hoards  may  watch  and  guard, 
From  me  no  longer  shall  they  hide : 
I  follow  Fortune  as  my  guide ! 

4 

On  yonder  Height,  above  those  Pines 
The  beckoning  Star  serenely  shines. 

[13] 


At  last  the  dreamed-of  goal  is  won ! 
The  splendid  Era  has  begun! 
Come,  Wealth,  come,  Glory,  like  a  Tide! 
Hail,  Fortune,  my  inspiring  Guide! 

V 
SONG  OF  THE  WOODSMEN 

1 

We  are  come  from  afar  with  our  axes  and  saws ; 
Like  an  Army  we  move  on  the  forest-crowned  Height. 
They  must  fall  —  the  proud  Pines  that  have  stood 
there  for  Ages. 
For  the  World  hurries  on  without  respite  or  pause 
And  the  darkness  gives  way  to  the  Kingdom  of  Light 
Long  foretold  by  the  Sages ! 

Lay  the  ax  at  the  root  of  the  tall,  stately  tree ! 
Cut  the  gash  in  the  flesh  of  the  white,  fragrant  wood. 
With  a  crash  it  will  sink  on  the  brink  of  the  Valley, 
It  will  glide  from  the  side  of  the  Mount  to  the  Sea, 
And  the  Town  shall  abound  where  the  Wilderness  stood, 
Where  the  deep  Rivers  dally! 

3 
Into  houses  and  vessels,  for  tapering  masts, 
Into  manifold  use  for  the  Children  of  Men, 

Shall  the  shadowy  Forest  be  changed  by  our  labour. 
There  is  nothing  on  Earth  that  infallibly  lasts ; 
It  is  life  and  new  life  and  then  new  life  again, 
'T  is  the  Plowshare  from  Saber! 

[14] 


4 

And  the  Wind  that  plays  now  on  the  harps  of  the 
Trees 
Shall  make  melodies  sweeter  and  richer  accords, 

When  it  comes  at  the  Master's  sublime  invocation, 
As  his  Spirit  awakes  from  the  answering  keys 
Thoughts  too  deep  to  be  uttered  in  words,  like  the 
Lord's 
Silent  breath  of  Creation! 


VI 
SONG  OF  THE  MINERS 

1 

Down,  down,  down !  into  the  depths  of  the  Earth ! 

In  dark,  in  mirk,  we  work,  we  moil. 
Down,  down,  down !  There  is  little  of  gladness  or  mirth 

In  endless  days  of  gloomy  toil. 

% 

Toil,  toil,  toil!  Far  from  the  light  of  the  Day, 
Like  moles  we  bore  thro'  beds  of  ore. 

Moil,  moil,  moil!  For  the  long,  weary  hours,  scanty  pay! 
Must  we  be  Serfs  for  evermore  ? 

3 

More,  more,  more!  That  is  the  order  we  hear! 

We  bend,  we  pick,  we  drive,  we  blast ! 
More,  more,  more!    New  demands  for  us  ever  appear! 

And  this  must  be  while  Time  shall  last! 

[15] 


VII 
SONG  OF  THE  FOREMAN 

1 

Thro'  subterranean  caverns  hollowed, 

Thro'  long,  black  galleries  shored  with  beams, 

Has  Nature's  clue  discreetly  followed 

Led  us  to  wealth  beyond  our  dreams. 

2 
But  not  for  us  the  splendid  Treasure, 

With  small  meed  must  we  be  content. 
The  worth  of  Life  't  is  hard  to  measure; 

The  coin  of  Joy  is  quickly  spent! 


3 

In  faithful  service  rendered  duly, 

In  simple  pleasures,  work  well  done, 

Is  sweeter  comfort  reckoned  truly 

Than  grows  from  wealth  unjustly  won 


4 
I  hear  thro'  these  low,  sombre  arches 

A  deep  and  solemn  organ-tone! 
The  Van  of  Progress  upward  marches 

And  Man  is  coming  to  his  own ! 


[16] 


VIII 
CHANTY  OF  SAILORS 

1 

We  are  off,  we  are  off  on  our  homeward  course. 

(Take  a  pull  on  the  weather  main-brace!) 
The  Captain's  voice  thro'  his  trumpet  sounds  hoarse 

(O  bowse  in  the  sheets  and  flatten  her  face!) 

"Set  up  the  halyards!"  he  calls. 

Each  tar  is  at  work  in  his  place 
And  the  bark  springs  her  luff  and  is  ready  to  race 

And  to  meet  whatever  befalls. 

(Take  a  pull  on  the  weather  main-brace!) 

She  is  tearing  along  with  a  bone  in  her  teeth ! 

(Take  a  pull  on  the  weather  main-brace !) 
There  is  pale  blue  above  and  dark  blue  beneath. 

(O  bowse  in  the  sheets  and  flatten  her  face !) 

The  wind  is  piping  a  song 

Crowd  all  the  kites  on !  By  God's  grace 
We  will  lower  the  record  by  mending  our  pace ! 

And  the  voyage  will  not  seem  very  long. 

(Take  a  pull  on  the  weather  main-brace !) 

3 

Oh,  clew  up  your  royals  and  down  with  the  jib! 

(Down  top  gallants  and  staysails!  avast!) 
In  the  harbor  we  ride  on  a  rollicking  tide ! 

Up  with  your  courses !   Lay  topsails  to  mast ! 

[17] 


Let  go  the  anchor!  haul  taut  and  belay! 
Our  voyage  is  over  at  last! 
With  ore  for  our  ballast  and  lumber  all  fast. 
So  off  for  the  Shore  and  away ! 

Hurray! 

IX 
THE  SONG  OF  THE  ORGAN  BUILDER 

1 
Seasoned  long  is  the  mountain-pine, 
Close  the  grain  and  white  and  fine, 

Saw  it,  plane  it,  bevel  it  well ! 
Now  the  promist  time  is  ripe. 
Now  it  shall  live  as  an  Organ  pipe  — 

Thro'  it  the  breath  of  the  Wind  shall  swell! 

2 
Perfectly  fashioned,  row  on  row, 
Tuned  to  the  gamut  that  Singers  know  — 

Thousands  of  voices  uniting  in  one :  — 
Thread  of  sound  like  the  sigh  of  a  bird  — 
Thunder  of  bass  by  the  pedal  stirred  — 

Now  't  is  completed  —  the  Work  is  done ! 

3 

Elephant's  tusk  from  the  Tropic  brought, 
Creamy  white  and  carefully  wrought. 

Ebon  from  far  Honduras's  strand, 
These  shall  adorn  the  banks  of  the  Keys; 
From  them  shall  arise  the  harmonies 

That  soon  shall  obey  the  Master's  hand ! 

[18] 


4 

The  Case  shall  be  barred  with   fretted  gold  — 
Carved  in  black  oak  a  millenium  old :  — 

Singing  choirs  of  angelic  boys, 
Seraphs  winding  their  trumpets  and  shawms, 
Virgins  breathing  on  clustered  haulms, 

Cymbals  and  drums  making  plastic  noise! 

5 

To  the  great  Cathedral  it  shall  be  sent  — 
The  perfect  and  glorious  Instrument. 

It  shall  lead  in  laud  and  in  choral  song. 
The  hearts  of  men  it  shall  ever  sway 
On  Sabbath  and  on  Holy  Day, 

And  unto  God  shall  the  Praise  belong. 


X 

CHORUS  OF  ORGAN  FINISHERS 

1 

Our  masterpiece  is  now  complete 

Of  precious  wood  and  tin  and  gold. 

A  thousand  Voices  strong  and  sweet 
These  ranging  diapasons  hold! 

% 
The  melting  tones  of  harp  and  flute, 
The  sighing  of  the  sylvan  reed, 
The  arpeggios  of  the  Poet's  lute 

Are  to  these  full  stops  deftly  keyed. 
[19] 


3 

Here  shall  the  great  Magician  sit, 

And  fill  the  Fane  with  waves  of  sound. 

Here  fugues  of  pathos  infinite 

With  holy  symphonies  shall  abound. 


Glory  to  God  for  such  a  power! 

Forever  more  His  Name  be  praised! 
High  in  His  Temple  vast  shall  tower 

The  immortal  Fabric  we  have  raised. 


[20] 


PART  SECOND 
THE  CONSECRATION  OF  THE  ORGAN 

I 
THE  CATHEDRAL 

1  Andante  maestoso 

Above  the  City's  proudest  mansions  towering, 

Its  double  spires  sublime,  cross-crowned,  cloud- 
high, 
The  Century-plant  of  Art  reveals  its  flowering 
In  yon  Cathedral  bulked  against  the  sky. 

The  flying  buttresses,  the  arches  glorious, 

The  grand,  clear-story  rising  o'er  the  nave, 

The  Campanile  like  a  shaft  victorious 

That  Life  has  raised  above  the  conquered  grave ; 

3 

The  mullioned  windows  filled  with  pictured  histories : 

Stern  Prophets,  grave  Apostles,  Angel  Choirs, 
The  Dove  and  Lamb  and  Lamp— the  symbolled  Mys- 
teries, 
That  glow  in  jewelled  glass  like  living  fires :  — 

[21] 


4 

At  last  the  wondrous  whole  is  fairly  finished :  — 
From  corner-stone  to  finial  it  has  grown. 

Oh,  may  its  Splendour  never  be  diminished, 
Its  perfect  Beauty  never  be  o'erthrown! 

5 

Heart-weary  Pilgrims  from  far  lands  slow  wandering 
Shall  feel  a  quickened  pulse  to  see  this  shrine. 

Low-bowing,  on  each  marvel  solemn-pondering, 
They  know  the  Glory  here  is  all  divine ! 

6 

The  golden  Flame  that  fires  each  Orient  oriel 

At  morn  shall  first  kiss  that  resplendent  Rose, 

A  radiant  Sign  from  ages  immemorial 

That  Light  from  Darkness  ever  surely  grows! 


II 

THE  DRUID  GROVE  j 

1  Allegro 

Out  of  the  Darkness  Day  is  born  — 
Night  is  Mother  of  the  Morn! 
So  from  the  mirk  of  Ignorance 
The  Sun  of  Knowledge  must  advance; 
So  from  Superstition's  night 
Leaps  Religion's  kindly  light. 

[22] 


2 
On  this  temple-flowering  height 
Thro'  the  misty  ages  stood, 
Druid-tenanted,  a  Wood. 
Chief  or  tribesman  came  not  near 
Save  with  awe  or  pallid  fear. 
Underneath  the  sacred  Oak 
Scarred  by  many  a  lightning-stroke, 
Rose  the  Altar  stained  with  gore, 
Carved  with  mystic  Runic  lore. 
At  Midnight  wild,  barbaric  chants, 
Sung  by  white-robed  hierophants, 
Echoed  thro'  the  cloisters  aisled 
Cruel  tho'  the  Summer  smiled. 


Ill 
CHANT  OF  THE  DRUIDS 

1  Allegro  con  brio 

On  the  Oak-bough  hanging  low 
Grows  the  pale  green  mistletoe : 
Cut  it  with  the  golden  knife! 
Offer  up  the  precious  life 
Of  the  two  white  bulls  that  low 
Prescient  of  the  coming  woe! 
Bring  the  Prisoners  —  man  and  wife  — 
Captives  from  the  bloody  strife :  — 
They  shall  learn,  yea,  they  shall  know 
Mighty  is  our  great  God  Selago! 

[23] 


2 

On  the  Altar  virgin  Fire 
Rises  higher,  ever  higher! 
It  was  sleeping  in  the  ash, 
But  the  hard  wood's  rasping  clash 
'Gainst  the  soft  pine  woke  Desire, 
And  it  leapt  forth  for  the  pyre 
With  a  swift,  o'mastering  flash. 
Beat  the  cymbals  with  a  crash, 
To  the  world  the  Fire  shall  show 
Mighty  is  our  great  God  Selago! 


IV 
ARRIVAL  OF  THE  ROMANS 

1  Presto 

Hark,  what  means  that  brazen  blare 
Shattering  thro'  the  tremulous  air  ? 
Hark,  those  frenzied  shrieks,  those  cries! 
Hoarse,  exultant  shouts  arise! 
'T  is  the  Roman  legions  dread 
By  their  fierce  Pro-consul  led! 

2 

Did  not  Druid  Sorcerers  know 
There  would  come  a  deadlier  foe 
Than  the  Germans  hot  for  war  — 
Mars  be  mightier  than  Thor, 
Mightier  than  Vasio  ? 

[24] 


3 
What  then  meant  that  conflict  dire 
'Twixt  the  red  Blood  and  the  Fire ! 
When  the  Hawk  swooped  on  the  Dove 
What  appeared  from  high  above  ? 
'T  was  a  wide-winged  Eagle  flew 
Straight  from  Southward  thro'  the  blue ! 
Hawk  and  Dove  alike  he  slew! 

4 

Were  not  the  Omens  clear  to  read  ? 
Could  they  not  the  warning  heed  ? 

5 

Vainly,  vainly,  Druidesses, 
Do  ye  tear  your  tangled  tresses, 
All  in  vain  ye  call  your  Gods : 
They  are  deaf  as  frozen  clods ! 
Hide  behind  the  cromlech  gray! 
Never  will  you  ride  away 
On  the  swift  steeds  of  Epona! 
Never  will  the  bright  Dumona 
Bring  you  aid  this  fatal  day! 
Adder-stone  and  herb  All-heal 
Will  not  heed  your  wild  appeal! 

6  Un  poco  piu  lento 

Already  thro'  the  shadow-haunted  glades 
Rush  the  Roman  Foot  with  dripping  blades; 
Javelins  with  brazen  points  are  hurled. 
There  where  the  smoke  of  Sacrifice  up-curled, 

[25] 


Heapt  in  stark  ghastliness  the  Druids  lie, 
Surrounded  by  the  ruins  of  their  world, 
Too  happy  thus  to  die ! 

V 
THE  ROMAN  TEMPLE 

1  Allegro  moderate 

"Where  once  grew  the  Druid's  Grove 
Rises  now  the  Fane  of  Jove; 
Monolithic  columns  grand 
Carved  with  marble  garlands  stand, 
As  once  stood  the  tall  oak  trees 
Guarding  well  the  entrances. 

Crowned  with  olive  leaves  the  Priests 

Celebrate  the  solemn  feasts, 

Sacrificing  milk-white  kine, 

Pouring  out  the  mellow  wine, 

To  the  God  who  sends  the  thunder, 

Filling  men  with  speechless  wonder. 

They  perform  the  mystic  rites, 

Lifting  high  the  belemnites 

Which  the  Arch-Druid  thought  were  hurled 

By  Taranis  when  the  cloud 

Hung  blue-black  above  the  World, 

And  the  Forests  by  the  dazzling  bolt  were  plowed. 

3 

Hark!  the  stately  Hymn  resounds 
Thro'  the  holy  Temple's  bounds. 

[26] 


VI 
HYMN  OF  THE  PRIESTS  OF  JUPITER 

1  Maestoso 

Jupiter  Omnipotent 
Hurler  of  dread  thunderbolts, 
Seated  on  thy  mighty  throne, 
Heed  our  Libations! 

2 
Lord  of  this  World  thou  art 
Ruling  all  the  Gods  by  fear 
What  can  thy  Integrity 
Shake  or  diminish  ? 

3 
Here  where  barbarian  Bands 
Sacrificed  to  thine  Enemies 
Now  thy  great  white  Temple  stands 
Ever  inviolate! 


VII 
DAWN  OF  CHRISTIANITY 

1  Duo:  cantabile 

first  peasant: 
Say,  who  is  yonder  grave  and  reverent  Stranger 

With  calnij  benignant  face  ? 
He  tells  us  of  a  King  born  in  a  Manger  — 
A  Saviour  for  our  Race! 
[27] 


2 
SECOND  peasant: 
He  was  a  slave  at  Rome :  his  cruel  Master 

Kept  him  for  years  in  chains. 
At  last  compelled  by  pressure  of  disaster 
He  freed  him  from  his  pains. 

3 
first  peasant: 
He  teaches  us  that  all  the  ancient  Stories, 

That  we  believe,  are  lies. 
His  Peasant  God  in  whose  dark  Death  he  glories 
He  calls  All-Good,  All- Wise  1 

4 

second  peasant: 
In  Rome  this  new  Faith  came  to  him  like  healing; 

New  Life  to  him  it  brought; 
And  now  he  wanders  thro'  the  world  revealing 

The  Lessons  he  was  taught. 


VIII 

THE  PROPHECY  OF  THE  PEASANTS 

Allegro 
The  Temple  of  Jove  shall  be  swept  away. 
We  see  the  Dawn  of  a  happier  Day. 
Freedom  and  Love  shall  rule  over  Life; 
An  end  shall  come  to  Hatred  and  Strife. 
We  welcome  our  new  beneficent  Lord ! 
Long  have  the  cruel  old  Gods  been  abhorred. 

[28] 


The  poor  and  the  slave  shall  find  relief: 
Comfort  shall  dry  the  tears  of  Grief. 
Christ  is  our  King!  we  herald  His  Name. 
All  over  the  land  the  tidings  proclaim ! 


IX 
THE  CATHEDRAL 

1  Recitativo:  adagio 

Long  centuries  past;  the  Forest  disappeared. 
The  rich,  black  soil  for  golden  grain  was  cleared. 
A  village  clustered  round  the  sacred  well; 
The  Roman  temple  into  ruins  fell. 
Its  columns  quarried  for  foundation  stones 
Lay  mutilated;  statues,  altars,  thrones 
Of  polisht  marble  where  the  Flamens  sate 
Suffered  the  same  rude,  ignominious  fate. 
The  grave  God  Jupiter,  the  cloud-Compeller, 
Followed  the  Druid  Deities;  the  Queller 
Was  quelled;  the  pipes  that  Pan  the  Friendly  played 
Were  heard  no  longer  in  the  shadowy  glade. 
The  homely  Cult  the  rich  and  great  despised, 
By  ragged  slave  and  boorish  peasant  prized, 
Was  now  the  only  Faith  men  recognized. 
From  lowest  bondman  up  to  Emperor 
The  Christ-Religion  all  now  battled  for! 

Then  as  the  village  to  a  city  grew 
The  Temple  site  was  consecrate  anew. 

[29] 


The  abundant  wealth  that  Trade  and  Conquest  gave 

In  generous  tithes  built  arch  and  architrave, 

The  ornate  chapel  and  the  vaulted  nave. 

High  rose  the  Towers  with  foliated  spires  — 

Perpetual  semblances  of  Altar  fires. 

Pride  of  the  Nation  the  Cathedral  stands 

A  shrine  of  Pilgrimage  from  distant  lands. 


THE  ORGAN 

1  Allegro 

Gift  of  the  Faithful,  the  eloquent  Organ, 
Gracing  the  loft  that  faces  the  Transept, 
Waits  for  the  Master  to  waken  the  Spirit 
Forth  from  the  marvellous  heart  of  the  Instrument. 

2 

Silent  as  yet  are  the  tall  golden  bourdons, 
Motionless  lie  the  powerful  bellows; 
Closed  are  the  stops,  all  inert  are  the  pedals : 
They  will  respond  at  the  hour  of  the  Festival. 

3 

Come,  O  Breath  of  the  Gale  from  the  Ocean, 
Come  from  the  far  distant  murmuring  Forest, 
Come  from  the  reeds  that  sigh  by  the  River: 
It  is  your  music  the  Master  makes  manifest. 

[30] 


4 

Songs  of  the  warblers,  the  soughing  of  branches, 
Waterfalls,   mountain-brooks,   silverly  tinkling, 
Echo  of  lakes  when  the  Ice  shouts  his  paean  — 
All  these  mellifluous  voices  you  bring  with  you ! 


XI 
DEDICATION  OF  THE  ORGAN 

Allegro  animato 
'T  is  Saint  Cecilia's  festal  Day: 
November's  sky  is  cold  and  gray, 
But  o'er  the  Cathedral's  vaulted  aisles 
The  light  from  countless  tapers  smiles. 
There  is  no  hidden  nook  of  gloom 
In  that  Basilica's  spacious  room. 
A  waft  of  incense  clouds  the  air 
With  delicate  perfumes  everywhere. 
In  purple  robes  of  'broidered  gold 
The  Priests  their  silent  stations  hold; 
The  mitred  Bishop  devoutly  kneels 
Before  the  Altar  which  reveals 
A  rare,  resplendent,  dazzling  blaze 
Of  starry  candles  maze  on  maze. 
Then  with  a  lofty  mien  he  stands 
Holding  the  Crucifix  in  his  hands, 
And  turning  to  the  expectant  throng, 
Intones  the  In  Nomine  Domini 
In  quavering  notes  which  full  and  strong 
Break  into  strains  of  Poesy:  — 

[31] 


XII 
CARMEN  SACRUM 

1  Allegretto 

Nos  in  hac  Praesentia  stantes 
Iesum  Christum  adorantes, 

Salvatorem  Dominum, 
Ut  decentius  colamus 
Nunc  laetantes  consecramus 

Hoc  pulcherrimum  Organum! 

Semper  in  hac  aede  gaudens, 
Semper  sacrum  nomen  laudensy 

Dulcem  dabit  musicam: 
Sacrificio  arcanorum 
Cantus  mollis  angelorum 

Ei  comitantur  iaml 


XIII 

Allegro 
Then  from  the  choir  bursts  forth  a  Hymn 
Such  as  the  blessed  Seraphim 
Might  sing  before  the  Almighty's  throne, 
When  up  to  Heaven's  bright  Courts  hath  flown 
An  angel  bearing  in  his  arms 
A  soul  redeemed  from  earthly  harms :  — 


[32] 


XIV 
GLORIA 

1  Allegro  con  fuoco 

Glory,  glory,  unto  the  Lord  of  the  Universe, 

Throned  on  high  amid  Light  more  bright  than  the 
disc  of  the  Sun! 
Infinite  ages  of  time  'twould  take  for  our  tongues  to  re- 
hearse 
All  of  Thy  marvellous  attributes,  O  Thou  Infinite 
One! 

Glory,  glory,  glory!  Sing  Hallelujahs,  sing! 

Praise  and  Honour  and  Glory  unto  our  Lord  be- 
long! 
Let  our  harmonious  voices  now  with  the  Organ  ring. 
Chant  the  homage  of  Man  in   clear   antiphonal 
Song! 

Amen !   Amen ! 


XV 

THE  FUGUE 

1  Andante  maestoso 

Hark!  like  a  golden  thread  of  sound  aerial 

A  plaintive  cadence  from  the  Organ  steals: 

It  trembles,  rises,  floats  away  etherial ! 

The  Soul  in  silent  prayer  devoutly  kneels. 

[33] 


2 
Then  comes  a  change :  a  crash  of  chords  rolls  thundering 

And  shakes  the  windows  in  their  leaded  panes; 
It  thrills  the  throng  who  listen  breathless- wondering, 

To  hear  the  splendour  of  the  sequent  strains. 

3 
From  out  the  chaos  of  the  weird  prophetical 

Emerges  like  the  crystal  Light  of  Life 
A  fervid  theme,  spontaneous,  poetical, 

That  sings  of  strenuous  Victory  won  from  Strife. 

4 
With  deeper  tones  the  same  great  theme  euphonious 

Ensues  enmesht  in  woof  of  woven  sounds, 
Thus  grows  the  Fugue:  a  splendid  web  harmonious 

With  a  whole  world  of  Beauty  in  its  bounds. 


XVI 

APOSTROPHE  TO  JOHANN  SEBASTIAN 

BACH 

1  Prestissimo 

Some  who  hear  are  rapt  away 
From  the  environment  of  clay, 

Borne  on  wings  of  Rapture 
From  Earth's  trifling  toys, 

Ready  to  recapture 
Something  of  Heaven's  joys 

Which  they  long  had  lost 

At  such  bitter  cost  — 
[34] 


Borne  beyond  the  Evening  Star 

Infinitely  far 

To  the  pearly  gates 

Where  the  Flame-guard  waits 

Each  with  his  flashing  scimetar! 

2 
Oh,  the  Soul's  attuned  ear 
Songs  of  heavenly  Choirs  may  hear 
Praise  to  God  forth-pouring, 

Set  to  harps  of  Gold 
Struck  by  rapt  adoring 

Angel  hosts  white-stoled, 
While  the  crystalline 
Harmonies  divine 
Of  the  far-revolving  spheres, 
Carrying  golden  years, 
Swell  like  Organ-notes, 
And  above  all  floats 
Love's  Eternal  Hymn  of  Joys  and  Tears. 

3  Allegretto 

Master  Bach,  this  was  thy  Power! 

Before  thine  Organ  seated 
Didst  thou  make  music  flower 
Like  radiant  many-prismed  blossoms 
In  sterile  human  bosoms ! 

Oh,  miracle  repeated 
A  thousand  times  in  thy  dear  life; 

When  men  defeated 
Undone  by  strife 

[35] 


New  courage  gained, 

New  hopes  conceived; 
When  hearts  sin-stained 

Once  more  believed 
That  Purity  might  be  attained! 
When  Love,  heart-banisht 

Exile  with  broken  wings, 
Mourning  her  Eden  vanisht 

Once  more  to  Hope's  hand  clings ! 
And  sees  a  beauteous  Vision 
Of  Joy  elysian, 

Crowned  with  immortal  rays, 
And  with  an  infinite  yearning 
Beholds  the  sweet  returning 

Of  Paradisal  Days! 

4 

Tender-hearted  Master 

Kindly,  patient,  mild, 

Simple  as  a  happy  child, 
Brave  amid  Disaster, 

Sweet  when  Fortune  smiled, 
A  most  rapturous  fire 

Burned  in  thy  spirit  undefiled ! 
To  what  didst  thou  aspire  ? 
Celestial  harmonies  awoke  in  thee! 
The  Voice  of  Yahveh  spoke  in  thee ! 
In  thee  the  sentient  chord 
Vibrated  'neath  the  finger  of  the  Lord! 


[36] 


5 

Thou  didst  interpret  for  the  unknowing 

The  sounds  of  jocund  Rivers  flowing, 

The  roar  of  snow-encumbered  Tempests  blowing, 

The  fitful,  dreamy  sighing 

Of  lake-reflected  willows, 
When  the  first  Spring-green  beguiles; 
The  murmur  of  the  Forest, 

Harp-like  faint  replying 

To  the  gentle  summer  Zephyr  dying; 
Where  the  light  and  shadows  morrised, 

Make  a  checkered  pavement, 
As  for  Gothic  minster  aisles. 

The  thunder  of  Aegean  billows 
Plunging  into  azure  caves 
When  the  wild  Mistral  raves ; 

The  weird,  mysterious, 

Vast,  imperious, 
Midnight  Music  of  the  Mountains; 
The  Voice  of  vernal  Fountains 
Bursting  into  brief  existence, 

The  gurgling  calls  of  rapturous  birds 

Darting  to  join  their  mates 
Thro'  long,  translucent  leagues  of  liquid  distance, 

The  Robin's  gay  arpeggios 

The  Bobolink's  solfeggios, 

The  bell-notes  of  Thrushes 

Amid  the  Forest's  hushes, 

The  songs  of  Nightingales, 

In  vine-abounding  Grecian  vales; 
The  maddening  ecstacy  of  Mocking-birds, 

Telling  the  Texan  prairie  lover's  tales; 

[37] 


The  marriage  of  the  Poet's  words 
That  sing  of  loves  and  hates, 
Of  joyous  and  of  desolate  Fates, 

Of  Death  and  Birth 

Upon  our  night-and-daylight  alternating  Earth. 


XVII 
FINALE:  THE  TE  DEUM 

1  Andante 

O,  mighty-dowered  Instrument! 

All  passions  that  in  human  Souls  are  blent 

Dost  thou  respond  to  when  thy  Keys 
Are  reverently  bent 

To  sincere  harmonies; 
But  in  God's  Worship  is  thy  Service  chiefly  spent. 

% 

When  Man  before  his  Maker  bows, 

His  weakness  and  his  faults  confessing, 
Renews  his  childhood's  fervent  vows 

And  asks  his  Heavenly  Father's  blessing, 
Then  the  Te  Deum  rolls 

In  most  majestic  tides  of  glory, 
That  lift  men's  guilt-freed  souls 

Above  the  trivial  and  the  transitory! 
And  leave  them  inly-fired 
And  awe-inspired 
Before  God's  throne, 
Each  with  his  secret  thoughts,  alone ! 

[38] 


I 


PART  THIRD 
SCHERZO:  THE  WEDDING 

I 

JUNE 

1  Allegretto 

June  is  returned  with  her  garlands  of  Roses; 

Every  breeze  is  a  Perfume-wafter. 
Even  the  Lily  her  heart  discloses ; 

Joy  is  dancing  with  crystalline  laughter, 
Light  white  Clouds  o'er  the  azure  chasing, 
Meet  with  sweet  and  gladsome  embracing! 
All  things  around  and  below  and  above 
Allure  to  Love! 

% 
Human  hearts  are  thrilled  with  futurity, 
Young  hearts  eager  to  find  their  affinities; 

Temples  of  Purity 

Held  in  security, 
Perfumed  to  please  their  enshrined  Divinities. 

3 

Vows  attested  by  faithful  Service 

Now  shall  bring  to  the  dear  reward, 

Like  as  the  carved,  elaborate  pervis 

Leads  into  the  minster  of  the  Lord. 

[39] 


June  is  returned  and  the  Earth  rejoices! 

Songs  awake  on  the  lips  of  the  Dumb. 
Woods  and  meadows  are  jocund  with  Voices; 

Over  the  clover  the  honey-bees  hum ! 
Sweet  looks  Life  as  she  temptingly  beckons; 
Youth  presses  onward  and  never  reckons; 

All  things  around  and  below  and  above 
Inspire  to  Love! 


II 


WAITING  FOR  THE  BRIDE 


Andante 


Like  a  Garden  full  of  Flowers 

Glow  the  vast  Cathedral  spaces, 

Gay  with  radiant,  eager  faces ; 

While  the  Master  at  the  Organ  seated 

Scatters  melodies  in  pearly  showers : 
In  each  theme  is  Love  repeated. 


Ill 


THE  PRINCESS 


Adagio 


Now  it  tells  a  piteous  story 
Of  fond  lovers  long  ago : 

He,  —  a  Knight  who  fought  for  glory, 
She  —  a  Princess  pure  as  snow. 
[40] 


2 

Grew  their  passion  shy  and  tender, 

Like  a  Violet  by  the  stream; 
Dared  he  his  heart's  key  surrender? 

Dared  she  breathe  her  waking  Dream  ? 

3 

But  their  Idyl  soon  was  broken : 

He  was  sent  to  foreign  lands, 
And  their  Love  was  never  spoken, 

Priest  ne'er  joined  their  mutual  Hands! 

4 

She  became  a  Queen  sad-hearted; 

He  for  glory  fighting  died; 
Happier  they  by  Fate  so  parted : 

She  could  ne'er  have  been  his  Bride! 


IV 
LOVE  AT  FIRST  SIGHT 

1  Piu  animato 

A  new  and  cheerful  Theme 
Comes  like  a  golden  gleam 
Out  of  a  Summer  cloud, 
That  drifts  across  the  Sun 
Lighting  its  Summit  proud 
When  Day  is  just  begun : 
The  searching  melody 
Sings  in  clear  major  key :  — 
[41] 


2 

Two  Strangers  pass  along  the  street : 
For  one  brief  second  glance  they  meet. 

Yet  tho'  they  part 

Each  answering  Heart 
Knows  now  the  circle  is  complete. 

3 

Years  glide  away.     In  some  far  land 
Again  they  meet.     Hand  clasps  with  hand. 

Their  eager  eyes 

Swift  recognize 
The  kinship  which  their  souls  had  spanned. 


V 
LOVE  POSTPONED 

Un  poco  meno  mosso 

Then  a  strange  Theme  broken 
Tells  of  Love  once  spoken, 

Vows  once  fondly  plighted: 
Dark  misapprehensions, 
Cruel  interventions, 

Letters  lost, 
Threads  of  Fate 

Tangled,  crost;  — 

Years  by  Sorrow  blighted. 
Then  at  length,  but  ah,  too  late, 

Lovers  reunited! 
[42] 


VI 
FORBIDDEN  LOVE 

1  Moderato 

Sombre  chords,  the  woof  of  Dirges 
Out  of  which  emerges 
Like  a  golden  thread 
A  vibrating  measure, 
Haunting  in  its  plaintive  Beauty, 
Signifying 
Love  that  yields  to  Duty, 
Self-denying, 
Choosing  Pain  instead  of  Pleasure, 
Starving  lest  it  should  be  fed 
On  forbidden  bread ! 

Two  that  love  their  Love  confess, 

Knowing  well  't  is  vain  to  hide 
What  their  greeting  Eyes  express, 

What  their  meeting  Hands  confide. 

3 
Face  to  face  and  heart  to  heart, 

In  glad  sorrow,  in  sad  bliss, 
They  have  chosen  Honour's  part, 

Sealed  with  one  long  Farewell  kiss. 

4 

One  is  free  but  one  is  bound 

By  the  sacredest  of  ties, 
Is  a  slave  to  Life  uncrowned, 

Having  missed  Life's  rarest  prize. 
[43] 


5 

Yet  their  joy  in  Sacrifice, 

In  Renunciation's  pain, 

Makes  their  Love  beyond  a  price, 
For  't  is  Love  without  a  stain. 


VII 
THE  OLD,  OLD  STORY 

1  Animato 

The  Music  clarifies: 

A  strain  of  doubly-blended  themes 
Born  of  a  Poet's  rapturous  dreams 

Tells  of  the  Love  that  never  dies : 
That  holds  thro'  all  Eternities. 

Two  spirits  fresh  and  youthful 

Draw  near  and  blend  in  union, 

So  pure,  so  clear,  so  truthful 

That  Heaven's  most  rapt  Communion 

Can  know  of  nothing  sweeter, 
No  orbed  Love  completer. 


3 

It  is  the  dear  old  story: 

How  Life  is  turned  to  splendour, 
And  Spring-time  spreads  her  glory 

In  hues  so  soft  and  tender 
That  Earth  an  Eden  seemeth, 

Thro'  which  all  Rapture  streameth! 
[44] 


VIII 
LOVE'S  MYSTERY 

In  the  souls  of  those  who  listen, 

Kindred  chords  awaken, 
Jewel-tears  in  bright  eyes  glisten; 

On  the  Tree  of  Memory  shaken, 
Unforgotten  leaves  are  fluttering! 

Each  heart  with  its  own  life  history 
Hears  the  organ- voices  uttering 

Love's  ineffable  mystery! 

IX 
THE  BRIDAL  PROCESSION 

1  Tempo  di  marcia 

Here  comes  the  Bride! 

Now  Organ  peal! 
Loud  speak  the  joy  and  the  pride 

All  hearts  feel ! 

Slow  'neath  the  arches 
Of  woven  roses, 

Now  flusht,  now  pale, 

Under  the  veil 
The  Chosen  One  marches 
By  her  stately  Father's  side, 
And  the  gay  Procession  closes 
With  a  throng  of  radiant  girls :   Each  Maiden 

With  a  garland  laden. 
[45] 


X 

THE  LOVER 

1  Agitato 

In  the  Chancel  the  Lover  waits 

With  trembling  calm,  with  modest  pride. 
For  him,  unworthy,  the  pearly  Gates 

Of  Paradise  are  opening  wide! 

Thro'  distant  lands  he  had  been  a  ranger; 
On  fields  of  carnage  he  had  fought. 
To  him  had  Danger 
Seemed  no  stranger, 
And  yet  a  simple  girl  his  soul  had  taught 
That  he  was  not  immune  to  Fear. 
He  who  a  score  of  Foes  had  captured 

Meekly  at  sight  his  heart  surrendered, 
And  now  a  Prisoner  enraptured 

His  firm  allegiance  he  tendered ! 
Ah,  Fate  austere! 

XI 
THE  CEREMONY 

1 

The  hands  are  joined,  the  rings  exchanged: 
The  brave  responses  cleave  the  air. 

The  Reverend  Father  gives  his  Blessing. 
Oh,  may  their  hearts  ne'er  be  estranged 
May  they  Life's  trials  nobly  bear, 

Love's  magic  Talisman  possessing! 
[46] 


2 

Love  so  pure 

Shall  endure! 
For  all  cares  and  griefs  it  is  a  cure ! 

All  of  worth 

On  the  Earth 
From  such  union  of  two  Hearts  has  birth. 
This  the  Organ  in  its  final  Benediction  tells 
And  the  Hymn  of  Love  Eternal  swells :  — 

XII 

HYMN  OF  ETERNAL  LOVE 

1  Allegro  con  fuoco 

When  the  first  primordial  atoms  in  space  commingled 

Each  was  drawn  to  each  by  a  strange  Desire, 
From  out  the  nebulous  haze  each  the  other  singled 

And  they  grew  to  an  Orb  more  dazzling  than  Fire. 

2 
It  was  Love,  it  was  Love  divine  which  the  worlds 
created; 
God  is  Love :  up  to  Him  all  Existence  flows. 
Throughout  the  vast  Universe  all  things  are  finally 
mated, 
In  satisfied  Love  must  the  Cycle  close! 

3 

'T  is  the  conflict  of  sound  makes  the  ultimate  Concord 
the  sweeter, 
Perfect  Harmony  out  of  Discord  resolves; 
Pain  and  Strife  build  Life  ever  richer,  nobler,  completer; 
Into  higher  forms  the  unfinished  evolves. 

[47] 


4 

There  is  nothing  lost  in  the  mighty  scheme  of  Creation; 

The  Star  that  falls  and  the  broken  arc; 
The  Flower  that  fades  and  the  perisht  unchronicled 
Nation, 

And  the  spark  that  is  swallowed  up  in  the  Dark : 

5 

They  have  all  their  part  in  the  cosmic  Order  symphonic; 

Even  Sin  and  Shame  into  Beauty  grow: 
It  is  Love  that  resolves  the  Discord  harsh  to  harmonic; 

It  is  Love's  sweet  themes  that  thro'  all  things  flow. 

6 
The  Love  of  the  Mother  who  gives  all  her  Heart  without 
measure, 
Or  who  dies  with  joy  that  her  offspring  may  live; 
The  Love  of  the  Father  who  counts  privation  a  pleasure, 
If  so  more  life  to  his  own  he  may  give; 

7 

The  Love  of  the  Man  who  shields  his  Friend  from 

Disaster, 

Who  marches  to  death  that  his  Land  he  may  save; 

The  Love  of  the  Saint  who  to  serve  his  Heavenly  Master 

Counts  martyrdom  bliss  and  is  true,  to  the  grave. 

8 
The  Love  of  the  Sailor  who  plunges  to  rescue  the 
Stranger, 
Of  the  Hero  who  offers  his  life  for  his  Foe ; 
'T  is  the  Love  of  the  God  who  deigns  to  be  born  in  a 
manger, 
That  the  Children  of  Men  Salvation  may  know. 

[48] 


9 

Yes,  the  Earthly  Love  is  the  type  of  the  Love  that 
forever 
Creates  and  upholds  and  unites  and  absorbs; 
There  is  one  Purpose  serves  all  the  infinite  urge  and 
endeavour; 
There  is  one  Law  that  rules  all  the  Heavenly  orbs ! 

10 

At  last  when  the  Stars  in  their  flight  cease  from  marking 
the  aeons, 
When  the  Circle  of  Time  on  the  Dial  shall  cease, 
Then  shall  dawn  a  new  Cosmos  proclaimed  in  raptur- 
ous pseans, 
And  over  God's  All  reign  an  infinite  Peace! 


XIII 

FINALE 

LOVE  IS  KING 

1  Allegro 

This  is  the  message 
The  Organ  tells! 
Marvellous  presage 
It  vibrates  and  swells; 
And  as  it  dies 
Like  the  fragrant  sighs 
Of  a  Summer  breeze, 
Suddenly  rise 
[49] 


The  melodies, 
Sung  by  the  chime 
Of  the  Wedding  Bells, 
High  in  the  steeple 
Thrilling  the  air, 
Greeting  the  people 
Everywhere, 
To  all  Time:  — 

2 

Love  is  crowned, 

Love  is  King; 

The  whole  world  round 

The  Tidings  bring! 

Below  and  above 

Everything 

Breathes  of  Love! 


[50] 


PART  FOURTH 
THE  DEATH  OF  A  NATIONAL  HERO 


THE  GLOOM 

1  Adagio 

The  City  thoroughfares  are  hung  with  crape; 
The  Nation's  banners  every  building  drape, 

Hang  half-mast  high  on  all  the  Ships, 
Droop,  as  if  conscious  of  some  fateful  Doom; 
The  air  is  heavy  with  inexpressible  gloom ; 

Sorrow  makes  eloquent  all  lips! 

2 

In  the  remotest  hamlets  in  the  Land 

Men  of  the  most  discordant  Creeds  are  clanned 

By  reason  of  this  common  Grief. 
Far  alien  tongues  their  keen  regret  rehearse; 
A  hundred  Poets  into  heartfelt  verse 

Breathe  sorrow  for  the  fallen  Chief! 

3 

In  the  Cathedral  Chancel  lies  in  State 
The  Conqueror  conquered  by  the  Bolt  of  Fate. 

[51] 


On  a  high  Catafalque  he  lies. 
Carved  as  from  Alabaster  is  his  Face 
Haloed  by  Death's  calm  and  pathetic  Grace: 

Death's  sleep  broods  o'er  his  eagle  eyes. 


Pausing  for  one  slow,  deep,  and  reverent  glance 
Upon  that  stern,  majestic  countenance, 

The  mournful  throng  all  day  move  past. 
The  tapers  blaze;  the  incense  clouds  the  air; 
The  attendant  clergy  kneel  in  silent  prayer; 

O'er  all  the  Pall  of  Gloom  is  cast! 


Gloom  in  the  House  of  God !  Is  Death  a  bane  ? 
Have  Heroes,  Saints,  and  Martyrs  died  in  vain  ? 

Is  Faith  delusion,  Hope  a  snare  ? 
Too  far  the  Pagan  dread  of  Death  still  holds ! 
Too  deeply  black  the  funeral  shroud  enfolds! 

A  solemn  joy  such  Grief  should  wear! 

6 

And  now  the  Requiem,  to  commemorate 
The  Virtues  and  the  Service  of  the  Great, 

Fills  the  Cathedral  to  its  bounds. 
All  minds  the  Master  of  the  Music  stirs; 
Of  Anguish  and  of  Bliss  interpreters, 

Speak  now  the  Organ's  awesome  sounds :  - 


[52] 


II 

DEATH 

1 

Death  never  spares:  inexorable  Death, 

He  summons  all  —  the  least  —  the  mightiest, 
The  moth  whose  life  is  compast  in  a  breath, 

The  Infant  on  its  Mother's  breast, 

The  Monarch  whose  imperious  behest 
A  thousand  servants  hasten  to  perform, 
The  Sun  whose  bulk  enorm 

Centres  a  universe  of  earths 
A  million  fold  more  populous  than  ours, 

The  Hopes  of  countless  births, 
The  beauty  of  the  Summer's  loveliest  Flowers :  — 

All  doth  he  claim, 
King  of  the  viewless  Realm 

Monarch  of  sombre  name, 
All  doth  he  overwhelm! 

With  ponderous  shattering  chords 

Death's  Song  of  Triumph  rolls, 
And  sable  hordes 
Of  Horrors  and  of  Fears, 
Of  inextinguishable,  burning  Tears 

Invest  Men's  midnight-darkened  souls. 


[53] 


Ill 

DEATH'S  TRIUMPH  SONG 


I  am  the  Lord  of  Life !  All  living  things 

Are  mine  and  have  been  mine  since  Life  began. 

Mine,  beasts  and  birds,  and  mine  their  Master, 
Man. 
'Gainst  me  no  strength  prevails;  no  speed  of  wings 
Can  save.     My  overtaking  Angel  flings 

The  fugitive  back  within  the  fated  ban. 

Destruction  is  the  sum  of  all  my  plan :  — 
God's  Universe  to  naught  my  Sceptre  brings! 

2 

Yet  am  I  most  beneficent :  in  my  realm 

All  Cares  and  Sorrows,  all  Earth's  miseries  cease. 
Men  mourn  because  my  arrows  overwhelm; 

They  mourn  tho'  only  thus  they  find  release. 
Swift  sails  the  Ship  with  Death's  hand  on  the  helm, 

But  at  the  end  the  Port  it  makes  is  Peace. 

3 

I  am  the  Lord  of  Life !  All  systems  die. 

The  Universe  is  one  engulfing  Tomb ! 

The  great  white  Suns  rush  ever  to  their  Doom, 
Wan,  lifeless  Moons  thro'  lifeless  spaces  fly, 
Wasting  their  pallid  light  on  orbs  that  lie 

A  prey  that  I  insatiably  consume. 

In  all  the  Infinite  what  waste  of  room, 
How  little  Life !     King  of  the  Dead  am  I ! 

[54] 


4 

Yet  am  I  merciful :  when  Time  is  done, 

When  Memories,  when  Records  all  have  perisht, 
And  every  Hope  is  gone  that  Mortals  cherisht, 

When  in  the  sky  revolves  no  glowing  Sun 

And  God  and  I  alone  are  left,  at  last 

The  Sleep  of  Peace  shall  brood  above  the  Vast! 

5 

I  am  the  Lord  of  Life!   Behold  my  Way! 
Upon  the  magic  Mountain  sunny  bright 
With  fertile  Terraces  my  wiles  invite 

The  Vine-rejoicing  Sons  of  men  to  stay. 

They  toil  and  when  their  tasks  are  done  they  play; 
They  build  them  palaces  and  find  delight 
In  glorious  prospects  over  vale  and  height; 

They  thrive  and  multiply;  they  live  their  day. 

6 

And  then  I  shake  the  Mountain!   Far  and  wide 
The  marble  many-pillared  palaces  fall! 

Down  flows  the  boiling  lava;  crimson-dyed 
The  snow  of  ashes  settles  like  a  pall. 
The  stricken  towns  in  vain  for  succour  call! 

I  bring  to  naught  all  Splendour  and  all  Pride. 

7 
The  Lord  of  Life  am  I !  Again  men  build 
Their  Habitations  on  the  Intervales 
Beside  the  stately  River,  where  the  sails 
Of  Commerce  by  the  prosperous  gales  are  filled. 

[55] 


The  humming  Hive  of  Traffic  is  never  stilled, 

Wealth  vaunts  herself  superb !  Nor  Science  fails  — 
Nor  Art;  and  Beauty's  gracious  smile  regales 

With  every  wile  wherewith  the  Mind  is  skilled ! 

8 

Men  live,  love,  prosper,  multiply.  — 

And  then  I  melt  the  Snow  among  the  Mountains. 

The  Waters  gather  from  their  sudden  Fountains. 

Houses  and  marts  and  splendid  temples  crumble. 

Alike  in  one  mad  maelstrom  Great  and  Humble 
Perish.     There  is  no  Power  to  heed  their  cry. 

9 

The  Lord  of  Life  am  I.     Along  the  Plain 

Which  stretches  level  like  an  emerald  Lake 

The  scattered  flocks  of  Men  their  dwelling  make. 

What  golden  harvests  of  the  generous  grain 

Are  coined  for  Luxury's  ever- widening  Reign! 
What  teeming  Cities  into  splendour  wake! 
What  Pride  the  builders  in  their  labour  take ! 

But  soon  I  show  them  that  their  Vaunt  is  vain. 


10 
A  cloud  of  purple  blackness  fills  the  South, 

Shot  thro'  with  jagged  lightnings!    Lurid  Shape 
It  waxes  monstrous :  from  its  yawning  mouth 
It  roars  in  triumph.     There  is  no  escape, 
Rich  cities,  populous  fields,  to  Death  are  hurled, 
As  swift  it  passes  with  vast  wings  unfurled. 

[56] 


11 

I  am  the  Lord  of  Life.     In  hearts  of  Kings 

I  sow  black  seeds  of  War.     Nor  long  I  wait 
Or  ere  I  reap  the  harvesting  of  Hate. 

Nation  at  Nation  insolently  springs : 

They  battle  like  Scorpions  armed  with  poisoned  stings, 
Fierce  armies  face  fierce  armies  all-elate 
With  passion  of  conflict,  heedless  of  their  Fate. 

Red  Carnage  riots  and  my  triumph  brings :  — 


12 

Thousands  of  Heroes  stript  of  lusty  life; 

Heapt  piles  of  gallant  war-steeds,  stiff  in  gore; 
Sackt  cities  black  with  piteous  deeds  of  strife; 
The  butchered  child,  the  stark,  dishonoured  Wife. 

And  still  the  Hate  engendered  calls  for  more. 

War  is  my  Master-stroke  since  Days  of  Yore. 


13 

I  am  the  Lord  of  Life.     I  smite  the  Lands 

With  scourge  of  Pestilence,  and  like  the  grass 
When  thro'  dry  Fields  red  Flames  in  fury  pass 

Men  perish  —  and  beasts.     I  call :  gaunt  Famine  stands 

Ready  to  reap  my  grain  with  skeleton  hands 

From  Countries  widowed  of  Water:  skies  of  brass 
Hang  pitiless.     The  elements  amass 

My  prey ;  the  Dead  are  countless  as  the  Sands. 


[57] 


14 

The  Ocean  and  his  raging  Storms  are  mine ; 

Nowhere  is  living  thing  I  do  not  claim. 
Mine  are  the  tiniest  motes  of  Life  that  shine; 

Mine  are  the  Worlds  that  shrivel  up  in  flame. 

I  ruin  —  I  destroy :  —  DEATH  is  my  name. 
God  made  me  and  His  work  is  all  divine ! 


IV 
LIGHT  FROM  DARKNESS 

1  Allegro  moderate 

Yet  not  for  long 
Triumphs  Death's  insolent,  o'erweening  Song. 
A  clear  imperious  Trumpet-call 
With  sudden  lustihead  puts  all 
The  clouds  of  sullen  gloom  to  flight 
As  Tropic  Day  o'erwhelms  the  Night. 


2 

There  is  no  strife: 
Death  yields  at  once  to  his  great  Conqueror,  Life. 
Exulting  rise  the  harmonious  notes 
In  vast  Arpeggios :  then  there  floats 
The  Banner- theme  of  Deathless  Joy 
Like  liquid  gold  without  Alloy :  — 


[58] 


V 
TRIUMPH  SONG  OF  LIFE 

1  Allegro  con  brio 

Tho'  the  Winter  the  face  of  the  Meadow  may  freeze, 
Tho'  the  leaves  may  all  fall  from  the  sorrowing  Trees, 
Tho'the  Fountains  may  cease  and  the  Rivers  be  bound, 
And  the  Snow  may  lie  deep  on  the  bloom-widowed 
ground, 

Death  may  rejoice, 
But  the  World  shall  awake  at  the  Spring's  thrilling 
Voice ! 

2 
Tho'  the  Worm  may  live  only  the  brief  Summer  hour, 
Tho'  the  petals  be  blown  from  the  heart  of  the  Flower, 
The  Butterfly  floats  from  the  chrysalis  left 
And  the  Fruit  grows  in  place  of  the  blossoms  bereft. 

Death  gets  no  prize, 
For  a  new  Grace  is  born  when  the  old  Beauty  dies. 


3 

Tho'  the  Babe  may  be  torn  from  the  Mother's  fond 

arms, 
Tho'  the  Maiden  be  lost  with  her  sweet  budding  charms, 
Tho'  the  Youth,  howe'er  strong,  howe'er  gallant  and 

brave, 
May  descend,  in  despite  of  his  pride,  to  the  grave, 

Death  nothing  wins, 
For  a  new  Life  forever  with  dying  begins ! 

[59] 


4 
And  tho'  cities  may  perish  and  nations  consume 
And  tho'  stars  rush  together  in  flame  to  their  Doom, 
It  is  only  a  part  of  God's  marvellous  plan, 
And  his  Love  rules  the  world  from  the  atom  to  Man. 

Death  is  no  foe, 
It  is  only  thro'  Death  that  the  new  orders  grow ! 

5 

'T  is  thro'  Death  that  Life  lives :  both  are  servants  of  God 
And  the  path  thro'  the  Vale  of  the  Shadow  when  trod 
Leads  to  measureless  fields  of  fine  Service  afar 
Where  there 's  no  loss  of  Love  or  of  Friendship  to  mar: 

Death  brings  the  gain, 
And  the  infinite  Joy  shall  atone  for  the  Pain ! 

6  Meno  mosso 

The  Flower  must  die  that  the  Fruit  may  gladden  men; 

The  Corn  be  reapt  that  the  grain  be  stored ; 
The  loss  of  the  Great  for  the  moment  may  sadden  men, 
But  there's  naught  in  their  death  that  should  be 

deplored. 
They  are  only  called  to  a  higher  career 
As  Captains  to  far-off  posts  are  promoted; 

They  will  find  new  work  in  their  unknown  sphere; 
Whether  there  or  here 
Their  best  to  the  Service  of  Life  is  devoted. 

7 
The  personal  note  thro'  the  Organ  wells : 
Of  the  varied  life  of  the  Chief  it  tells, 

And  above  all  swells 
The  solemn  tolling  of  funereal  Bells :  — 

[60] 


VI 
ELEGY 

1  Moderato 

Now  the  Head  and  Hero  of  the  Nation 

Falls  a  victim  to  the  Assassin's  steel; 
Maddened  Envy  strikes  amid  the  Ovation, 

To  o'erwhelm  the  Commonweal. 

All  too  well  the  sharp  blade  is  directed; 

In  the  hour  of  Triumph  Death  awaits; 
Thus  forever,  sombre,  unexpected, 

Toll  the  Doom-bells  of  the  Fates. 

3 

He,  the  Hero,  is  secure  in  glory; 

He  has  done  his  work  and  won  his  meed; 
He  has  built  his  name  and  fame  in  Story, 

Twenty  million  Slaves  he  freed ! 


But  the  sudden  blow  so  grim  and  tragic 
Brings  discordant  Parties  into  one; 

Sorrow's  ancient  feuds  are  solved  by  magic 
As  the  snows  melt  in  the  Sun. 

5 

Every  tongue  the  Hero's  mastery  praises, 
All  his  Virtues  glow  with  haloed  flame; 

His  success  in  multitudinous  phases 
E'er  will  stir  to  rival  aim. 

[61] 


6 

He  was  lowly  born,  reared  mid  privation; 

As  a  child  he  worked  beyond  his  powers; 
Eager,  snatcht  the  crumbs  of  Education 

From  the  surly,  grudging  Hours. 

7 
Books  were  few,  but  those  of  royal  standard : 

Shakespeare's  Bible,  Shakespeare  did  he  know. 
Naught  he  learnt  of  Literature  that  pandered 

To  the  passions  of  the  low. 

8 

In  the  firelight,  flickering,  rising,  sinking, 
Lived  for  him  the  Characters  of  old; 

He  grew  wise  in  their  high  modes  of  thinking; 
His  thoughts  took  their  mighty  mould. 

9 

When  he  spoke,  his  words,  with  Wisdom  weighted, 
Sank  into  his  Hearers'  inmost  hearts; 

Unto  Service  was  he  consecrated; 
Destined  to  play  foremost  parts. 

10 

Calm  in  judgment,  strong,  impassioned, 
Swift  and  rapier-keen  in  argument; 

All  his  weapons  from  the  Truth  were  fashioned, 
And  his  face  was  eloquent ! 

[62] 


11 

In  his  ready  speech  gleamed  lambent  humour; 

Homely  wit  flasht  ever  from  his  tongue; 
Echoes  of  his  deeds  were  spread  by  Rumour; 

Everywhere  his  Praise  was  sung! 

12 

When  before  the  ermined  Court  he  pleaded 
For  the  life  or  fortunes  of  the  wronged, 

He  was  shrewd  to  apply  the  Logic  needed, 
Fact  with  fact  where  each  belonged. 

13 

He  was  forward  to  befriend  the  Friendless  — 
Sympathetic,  gracious,  innocent; 

And  his  deeds  of  Kindliness  were  endless; 
Joy  was  spread  where'er  he  went. 

14 

High  he  lived  above  the  storms  of  Faction, 
Like  a  Mountain-peak  above  the  clouds, 

Heeding  not  the  thunder  of  Detraction 
Or  the  sullen  snarl  of  crowds. 


15 

When  the  world's  Arena  first  he  entered 
As  a  Champion  of  Freedom's  cause, 

All  the  shafts  of  Malice  on  him  centred, 
Yet  he  did  not  shrink  or  pause. 

[63] 


16 
Stern,  erect,  untrammelled,  simple,  fearless, 

With  the  shield  of  Faith,  the  blade  of  Truth, 
He  was  greeted  as  the  Leader  peerless; 

Round  him  thronged  all  generous  Youth. 

17 
Like  a  Rock  when  Winter  hurls  the  Ocean, 

In  a  maddened  welter,  at  the  Shore, 
Stood  he  —  Type  of  Duty's  grand  Devotion 

While  the  surges  round  him  tore. 

18 

Threats  of  Vengeance,  weapons  fiercely  pointed, 

Nothing  swerved  him  from  the  clear-seen  Right ; 

Like  the  Shepherd  King  with  chrysm  anointed 
He  was  clad  in  matchless  might. 

19 

And  this  might  he  nobly  used  for  others, 

To  protect,  uplift,  encourage,  aid, 
Humbly  counting  all  men  as  his  Brothers, 

Of  the  self-same  Spirit  made. 

20 

Sons  of  God  the  Serf  and  Slave  he  reckoned : 

Should  the  Sons  of  God  be  Serfs  and  Slaves  ? 

Equal-born  are  all  men :  Justice  beckoned 
Pointing  to  a  million  graves :  — 

[64] 


21 

Equal-born  and  equal  in  their  ending, 

King  and  Clown  alike  must  leave  the  Day, 

To  the  same  Unknown  and  Dark  descending 
To  the  same  uncouth  Decay. 

22 

Equal  in  their  right  to  Joy  and  Sorrow, 

To  the  Sunshine,  to  the  Earth,  and  Air; 

So  he  signed  the  Edict:  "From  To-morrow 
Freedom  shall  reign  everywhere!1 


5> 


23 

Fetters  fell  from  black  limbs  scarred  and  broken; 

From  dwarf t  Souls  the  chains  of  Bondage  fell; 
Not  since  God's  "Let  there  be  Light"  was  spoken 

Had  Love  worked  a  mightier  spell ! 

24 

What  a  shout  of  boundless  exultation 
From  the  Ocean  to  the  Ocean  ran! 

Man  is  henceforth  free !  Emancipation 
Is  the  Watchword  given  to  Man ! 

25 

He,  unspoiled,  unmoved  by  blame  or  praises, 
Gave  to  God  the  Glory  of  the  Deed, 

Knowing  well  it  is  the  Tide  that  raises 

Stranded  Ships,  the  Sun  wakes  seed! 

[65] 


26 


So  he  reached  the  zenith  of  his  Shining 
At  his  Apogee  to  leave  our  skies  — 

Happy  to  be  spared  the  slow  declining 
Of  the  Light  that  wanes  and  dies. 


27 

Every  Darkness  has  its  phase  of  brightness, 
Good  evolves  from  ill,  however  dire; 

As  the  fragrant  Water-lily's  whiteness 
Rises  from  the  noisome  mire ! 


28 

Here  we  see  the  threads  all  knotted,  tangled; 

But  the  warp  and  woof  make  patterns  rare. 
To  our  ears  the  bells  of  Earth  are  jangled; 

They  will  blend  in  concord  there! 


29 

Lives  whose  circling  Arcs  are  not  completed 
Fill  the  service  they  were  meant  to  fill. 

Victory's  crown  may  halo  the  Defeated : 
Death  can  never  be  an  ill ! 


30 

Mourn  not  that  the  Life  so  rich,  so  splendid, 
From  your  yearning  Eyes  is  rapt  away! 

Tho'  the  Sun  sink  by  dark  clouds  attended 
Yet  there  dawns  another  Day! 

[66] 


31 

As  the  motes  that  thro'  the  light  float  sparkling, 
Float  from  gloom  and  into  gloom  again,  — 

Are  the  same  motes  whether  bright  or  darkling, 
So  in  Life  and  Death  are  men ! 

32 

Men  depart  and  others  take  their  places, 
And  the  endless  Work  of  God  is  done! 

See  the  radiance  shining  in  their  Faces 
From  the  mighty  central  Sun ! 

33 

Mourn  not  therefore!    Banish  grief  and  sorrow; 

Wipe  away  your  bitter,  blinding  tears. 
We  shall  meet  in  Death's  sublime  To-morrow, 

In  the  Land  of  Timeless  Years ! 


VII 
EASTER  SONG 

1  Gioioso 

After  Winter's  seeming  frozen  Death 
Comes  the  Spring's  revivifying  Breath :  — 

Waken,  O,  ye  beauteous  Flowers, 
Now  dawn  golden  hours,  it  saith. 

2 
From  the  Southland  throng  the  Choirs  of  Birds, 
Love  their  music  turns  to  glowing  words :  — 

[67] 


"God  is  Love:  He  fills  the  worlds  with  Light, 
Beauty  follows  Winter's  blight." 


Love  alone  this  wondrous  change  performs, 
Love  gives  joyance  after  dreary  storms. 

Nature  lauds  her  great  Creator 
Life  bestowing  in  a  myriad  forms! 


Praise  the  Lord !   Give  God  the  Glory ! 
Tell  in  song  the  wondrous  Story, 
Grief  and  Death  are  transitory, 
God  is  Love ! 

Amen! 


VIII 
FINALE 

1  Andante 

As  the  Music  swells  and  minishes 

Throbs  and  wells  and  sighs, 
As  the  tear-wrought  minor  finishes, 

As  the  major  replies, 
As  the  brave  and  hearty  dominant 

With  its  wealth  of  surprise 
Makes  the  Life-idea  prominent 

And  the  Death-thought  dies, 
[68] 


As  the  mournful,  funereal 
Storm  of  sorrow  flies, 
As  the  solemn,  imperial 

Stars  of  joy  arise, 
In  the  memory  of  the  mourners, 
Glows  the  story  of  the  Hero 
And  the  Organ  seems  to  tell  it, 
With  its  struggles,  labors,  triumphs, 
Breathing  forth  its  high  ideals, 
Pouring  comfort,  consolation, 
Spurring  on  to  high  Endeavour, 
Blending  alien  hearts  in  Union, 
Quenching  Flames  of  angry  Passion. 
Thus  the  mortal  Life  tho'  ended 
Lives  more  vitally  than  ever, 
And  its  power  no  man  may  measure. 

% 

Thro'  the  lofty  pointed  arches 
Of  the  glorious  old  Cathedral 
Rolls  the  thunder  of  the  Organ, 
Breathes  the  whisper  of  the  Music. 

3 

Thro'  the  world  will  roll  forever 
Echoes  of  the  Hero's  glory, 
Of  his  sweet,  unselfish  nature, 
Of  his  democratic  spirit, 
Of  his  struggles,  labors,  triumphs, 
Of  his  last  and  noblest  message : 
"All  men  are  born  free  and  equal"; 
[69] 


Of  his  dying  mid  his  Triumph; 

Of  the  great  Regeneration 

Which  his  Life  and  Death  accomplisht, 

In  the  nation  which  he  cherisht 

In  the  Thought  of  all  Mankind! 


[70] 


PART  FIFTH 

END  OF  A  GREAT  WAR  FOR  FREEDOM 
AND  INAUGURATION  OF  ERA  OF 
UNIVERSAL  PEACE. 

I 
INVOCATION 

1  Moderato 

Harpy-faced  Passions  of  War  —  Rapine,  Destruction, 
and  Slaughter, 
Cruelty,    Hatred,    Despair  —  spread   your   wings 
and  depart! 
White-robed   Angel   of   Peace  —  God's    Star-crowned 
merciful  Daughter, 
Come  and  dwell  in  the  Earth;  throne  thyself  in 
its  Heart! 

Clear  the  seas  of  the  Cruisers!    Let  the  Battleships 
perish ! 
Turn  the  Forts  into  Parks!    Melt  the  great  Guns 
into  Bells! 
Spirit  of  Love  and  of  Joyance  fulfil  the  Hopes  that  men 
cherish, 
Bring  them  the  Golden  Age  such  as  the  prophet 
foretells ! 

[71] 


II 

THE  FESTIVAL  OF  PEACE 

1 

Why    is    the  vast   Cathedral   crowded  with  jubilant 

throngs  ? 
Why  are  the  Streets  hung  with  Banners,  resounding 

with  shouts  and  with  songs  ? 
Tidings  have  come  that  the  War  is  ended,  that  Peace 

has  been  signed. 
Hence  the  shouts  of  Joy  and  the  Banners  that  wave  in 

the  Wind. 

Long  had  the  War  been  waged,  with  the  forces  of  Free- 
dom arrayed, 

Desperate-battling  with  Tyranny  armed  with  his  scab- 
bardless  Blade, 

Each  aware  that  the  Conflict  was  final,  the  end  of  the 
Strife 

Never  would  come  till  One  or  the  Other  lay  stript  of 
his  Life. 

Thus  had  the  Old  and  the  New,  face  to  face,  fought  the 
fight,  as  they  say, 

Fought  Ahriman  with  Ormuzd,  as  the  Night  fights  ever 
with  Day. 

Evil  must  yield,  at  the  last  the  Good  must  rule  over  the 
World. 

Now  it  has  come!  the  broad  white  Banner  of  Peace  is 
unfurled. 

This  is  the  Festival  Day :  a  service  of  thanksgiving  Song 

Paeans  the  triumph  of  Freedom,  the  absolute  Down- 
fall of  Wrong! 

[72] 


3 

THE   ORCHESTRA 

Now  shall  the  Organ  be  roused  to  its  utmost  passion  of 

power; 
All  the  Winds  of  the  Sky  shall  grant  it  their  opulent 

dower! 
Other  Instruments,  too,  shall  join  in  the  Symphony's 

maze :  — 
Flutes    with    melodious    warble    learned    amid    bird- 
haunted  ways; 
Sylvan  Clarinets,  the  Hautboy  beloved  of  the  Swain; 
Passionate  Violins  with  hearts  keyed  to  joy  and  to  pain; 
Soulful  Violas  with  Voices  for  pathos   and  yearning 

Desire; 
'Cellos  with  generous  thoughts  as  of  noble  young  men 

that  aspire; 
Horns  whose  mellow,  deep  call  sets  the  Huntsman's 

blood  all  afire; 
Trumpets  that  ring  for  strife  and  animate  languishing 

hearts; 
Drums  and  Cymbals  and  Harps  —  all  fill  their  eloquent 

parts. 

4 

THE   CHORUS 

Ranged  like  a  pyramid,  high  sits  the  Chorus  row  upon 

row, 
Ready  to  start  at  the  nod  of  the  Leader  the  tones  that 

shall  flow 
Deep  as  a  River  and  full  as  the  Fountains  that  fall  in 

the  Spring; 
Praise  and  Thanksgiving  and  Joy  are  wrought  in  the 

Anthem  they  sing. 

[73] 


5 

THE    POET 

Nor  shall  the  Poet  fail!    When  the  heart  of  the  People 

beats  high 
Surely  he  must  not  fail;  with  the  fire  of  the  Seer  in  his  eye 
He  will  stand  forth  to  sing  in  verse  that  never  shall  die 
Freedom's  glorious  triumph,  the  Deeds  that  were  done 

in  her  name, 
Winging  the  words  of  his   dear  mother-tongue  with 

pinions  of  Flame. 
Happy  the  Bard  on  whose  brow  the  Laurel-wreath  so 

is  entwined! 
Kings  pass  away  and  the  breath  of  their  Power  is  the 

breath  of  the  Wind; 
Dynasties  fade  from  the  Earth  and  leave  no  remem- 
brance behind; 
But  the  Verse  of  the  Poet,  inscribed  on  the  heart  of 

Mankind, 
Lives  forever,  forever  is  prized  above  jewels  and  gold. 
Tho'  he  may  die  in  despair  yet  his  name  in  the  Stars  is 

enrolled ! 


Ill 
THE  HYMN  OF  PRAISE 

1  Redtativo 

Hush !  Hark !   Like  a  vast  wave  that  breaks 

Against  a  caverned  coast, 
When  the  wild  sullen  Ocean  makes 
His  immemorial  Boast 
[74] 


To  overwhelm  the  steadfast  Land, 

So  rise  the  vocal  Host 
And  waiting  stand 
To  heed  their  trusted  Leader's  mute  Command. 

2 
Hush !  Hark !  A  mighty  flood  of  sound 

Bursts  from  a  thousand  throats, 
Overleaps  the  Earth's  defiant  bound 

With  full,  harmonious  notes, 
Whereon  the  Hymn  of  fervent  Praise, 

Borne  high,  majestically  floats, 
And  mounts,  and  lays 
Its  Homage  down  before  the  King  of  Days ! 

3  Cor  ale:  andante 

Thy  children  come,  O  Lord, 

Before  Thy  Heavenly  throne, 
To  give  Thee  thanks  with  one  accord 

For  countless  mercies  shown. 

4 
By  blind  and  thorny  ways, 

Thro'  Deserts  bleak  and  wan, 
Thro'  stormy  Nights  and  dreary  Days 

Thou'st  led  us  safely  on. 

5 

Tho'  Foes  our  march  assailed 

We  heeded  not  their  darts ; 
Thro'  Thee  our  Courage  never  failed, 

Thy  Love  made  strong  our  hearts ! 
[75] 


6 

And  now  the  Victory  's  ours ; 

We  reach  the  Promised  Land, 
Around  us  bloom  Hope's  gracious  Flowers, 

Sweet  Waters  are  at  hand. 

7 
All  War  is  at  an  end, 

All  cruel  Passions  cease, 
The  former  Foe  shall  be  a  Friend, 

The  Earth  shall  smile  with  Peace. 

8 
To  thee,  dear  Lord,  we  owe 

The  good  that  we  possess; 
With  love  and  joy  our  hearts  o'erflow: 

Thy  name  we  praise  and  bless! 


Organ  and  orchestra 
Join  with  the  choralists 
Lifting  the  harmonies 
Into  the  loftiest 
Heaven  of  devotion, 
While  the  thrilled  auditors 
Keyed  into  unison 
By  the  great  Victory 
Won  over  Tyranny 
Sob  with  emotion! 

[76] 


Allegro 


IV 
THE  SYMPHONY  MARTIAL 

INTERLUDE 

Allegretto 
Now  swells  a  Martial  Symphony, 
Wherein  the  speechless  ecstacy 
Of  Genius  wrought  to  whitest  heat 
Finds  its  expression  so  complete 
That  blended  Wood  and  Brass  and  Strings 
And  the  great  Organ's  cadencings 
Lift  men  and  bear  them  far  away, 
As  in  the  old,  miraculous  day 
King  Solomon's  magic  Carpet  bore 
From  town  to  town,  from  shore  to  shore, 
From  Palestine  to  Turkestan, 

From  Ispahan  to  Candahar, 

Nay,  even  to  the  evening  star, 
Whoever  knew  its  talisman! 


THE    PARADE 

Now,  as  the  pulsing  rhythms  beat, 

You  seem  to  see  a  long,  wide  street, 

Wherethro'  a  host  of  Volunteers  — 

Brave  youths  who  strike  for  Freedom's  cause 
Surge  onward  without  rest  or  pause 

Mid  clapping  hands  and  shouts  and  cheers. 

In  fair  alignment  on  they  go, 

Each  stern  face  lighted  by  the  glow 

[77] 


Of  pride  in  conscious  Sacrifice, 
Where  Honour  wins  at  any  price, 
And  Life  itself  is  given  to  Duty. 

The  Sunlight  flashes  on  the  steel 

Of  polisht  rifles  that  conceal 
The  baleful  purpose  of  their  beauty. 
The  silken  Banners  flaunt  the  air; 
The  shrill  heart-stirring  Trumpets  blare. 
On,  in  bright  billows,  on  they  pass! 
Oh,  the  brave  spectacle!   But,  alas! 
When  the  dark  web  of  War  is  spun 
Mayhap  from  all  that  host  not  one 
Unscathed  will  reach  his  home  again. 
The  "Now"  will  scarce  compensate  then! 
The  memory  of  the  great  parade 
Like  midnight  visions  soon  will  fade. 
How  many  will  fill  nameless  graves ! 
How  many  roll  'neath  mocking  waves! 
Those  Banners,  now  so  proudly  borne, 
Will  droop  begrimed,  blood-stained,  and  torn! 
The  glorious,  soul-enthralling  strain 
Will  end  in  dirges  for  the  slain : 
Here  are  War's  pomp  and  circumstance 
That  cheat  the  superficial  glance. 

ii 
the  capture  of  the  redout 
Now  the  Reality  comes! 
Hark  to  the  roll  of  drums ! 
Hark!  the  Bugle's  blast! 
Angels  and  Men,  stand  aghast! 
It  is  the  call  for  the  charge! 

[78] 


As  on  the  threatening  marge 
Of  the  wild  Ocean  men  wait 
Watching  the  dubious  fate 
Of  a  brave  life-boat  that  saves 
Ship-wreckt  crews  from  the  waves, 
So  (to  set  large  things  with  large) 
Watches  the  world  in  amaze, 
While  with  drawn  weapons  that  blaze, 
While  with  a  deafening  shout, 
Forward  against  the  redout 
Dashes  the  Death-courting  line 
Filled  with  a  valour  divine. 


Nearer  and  nearer  they  dash ! 
Then,  like  a  lightning  flash, 
Then,  with  a  terrible  crash  — 
Omen  and  prophecy  dire 
Opens  the  welcoming  Fire :  — 
Mitrailleuses  in  whose  breath 
Regiments  shrivel  in  death, 
Melt  as  the  flakes  of  the  snow 
When  the  Sirocco-winds  blow 
Bringing  the  sand-laden  heat; 

And  in  continuous  rattle 
Mausers  and  Krags  that  repeat 
Death  with  each  feverish  beat 

Join  in  the  slaughterous  Battle. 
Heapt  on  the  ground  in  grim  piles 

Lie  the  maimed  and  the  dead. 
Reckless  the  fast-melting  Files 

Forge  with  fierce  Daring  ahead. 
[79] 


Never  would  mortal  emerge 
Out  of  that  merciless  surge, 
Did  not  the  huge,  hurtling  shells 
Fall  with  a  thunder  that  swells 
Louder  and  louder!  They  burst 
Where  most  incessant  the  curst 
Hail  of  the  bullets  defies. 

Sudden  the  musketry  dies, 
And  in  the  silence  that  follows, 
Over  the  mounds  and  the  hollows, 
Gathering  impulse  again, 
Dash  the  War-maddened  Men! 
Lo!  they  have  gained  the  Redout! 

Hark !  the  hoarse,  triumphing  shout ! 

Freedom  her  battle  has  won ! 
Ah!  but  the  cost  in  young  lives! 
Mourning  in  hearts  of  fair  wives. 

Mother,  now  weep  for  thy  Son! 
Fatherland,  all  that  survives 

Rests  on  these  deeds  nobly  done.' 
Solely  that  Liberty  now 
Gleam  as  the  Star  on  thy  brow ! 

in 

THE    PROVINCE    OF   MUSIC 

(Interlude) 

1 

It  is  thy  Province,  O  Music,  —  not  to  describe  or  to 

picture, 
Not  to  imitate  Life  but  to  quicken  and  move! 

[80] 


Rapt  away  by  thy  strains,  the  Soul  sees  the  Past  and  the 

Future  — 
Sees  and  hears  and  retains,  not  with  corporeal  Powers. 

2 
Some  may  catch  only  the  sounds  —  may  know  they 

have  pathos  or  beauty, 
Missing  whatever  they  mean  under  the  sensuous  mask; 
But  for  the  true  Adept  arises  the  bright  glowing  Vision; 
Now   of   march   and   assault,   now   of   fierce   battling 

Ships. 

IV 
THE    BOMBARDMENT    OF   THE    CITY 

1 

As  the  lair  of  the  Lion 
Is  assailed  by  the  Tiger, 
Who  destroys  the  young  princes 
While  the  King,  their  protector, 
Is  not  there  to  defend  them, 
But  returning  discovers 
The  havoc  and  ruin, 
And  burning  for  vengeance 
Meets  the  striped  marauder 
And  defies  him  to  battle, 
And  the  furious  combat 
Fills  the  jungle  with  terror, 
Stains  with  gore  the  bamboo! 
So  the  beautiful  City 
With  its  opulent  palaces, 
With  its  cloud-reaching  towers, 
With  its  treasures  incomparable 
[81] 


Of  Art  and  of  Science, 


By  a  failure  of  foresight 
Falls  a  prey  to  the  Foe. 


2 
The  insolent  monitors 
With  turrets  impregnable, 
The  solid  steel  battleships, 
The  brine-cleaving  cruisers 
With  their  dread,  bristling  cannon, 
Combine  and  concentrate :  — 
They  silence  the  earthworks, 
They  dash  by  the  fortresses; 
And  then  on  the  City 
The  huge  floating  batteries 
Pour  death  and  destruction! 


3 

The  works  on  which  peaceable, 
Industrious  Artisans 
Had  lavisht  their  labors :  — 
The  intricate  carvings 
Of  wood  and  of  marble, 
The  pride  of  the  City  — 
The  columns  and  arches, 
The  picturesque  towers, 
The  statued  memorials 
Of  Heroes  departed, 
Of  Scholars  and  Poets, 
The  Schools  and  the  Colleges, 
[82] 


The  world-famed  Museums 
Where  the  Art  of  past  ages 
Is  kept  for  men's  marvel, 
All  crumble  to  powder! 

4 

Like  the  Djinns  of  the  Orient 

Released  from  Captivity, 

And  maddened  by  memory 

Of  cycles  of  Servitude, 

Rise  the  Flames  from  the  ruins ! 

Conspiring  to  ravage, 

They  spread  and  commingle 

To  sweep  crackling  and  roaring 

In  a  mad  conflagration :  — 

There  is  no  one  to  cope  with  them! 

5 
With  cries  of  lamenting, 
With  moanings  of  anguish, 
The  wretched  inhabitants 
Seek  in  vain  to  escape: 
They  are  crusht,  they  are  mangled, 
Flames  clutch  them  and  strangle  them. 
The  dead  and  the  dying  — 
Fair  women  dishevelled, 
Sweet,  innocent  children, 
The  gray-haired  whose  counsel 
Was  heeded  with  reverence, 
The  stalwart  and  strenuous, 
Entrapt  unescapably,  — 
Even  Sisters  of  Charity 
[83] 


In  their  errands  of  Mercy 
Encumber  the  pavements, 
Lie  in  heaps  in  the  highways, 
Stain  with  blood  their  dear  Homes. 

Oh !  the  Tiger  has  ravaged 
The  lair  of  the  Lion! 


THE    BATTLE    OF   THE    SHIPS 
1 

But  not  long  is  the  chastisement, 

The  stern  retribution  — 

Delayed  in  its  striking :  — 

From  the  Southward  and  Northward 

To  the  aid  of  the  City, 

Come  flying  the  Warships 

The  angels  of  Nemesis 

All  fierce  for  the  vengeance ! 

From  their  black,  raking  funnels 

Pours  the  smoke  as  from  Craters 

Of  bursting  Volcanoes. 

The  green,  foaming  billows 

From  their  beaks,  like  a  cataract, 

Dash  hissing  away. 

They  close  round  the  harbor, 

They  bear  down  on  the  Enemy. 


2 
The  Lion  and  Tiger 
Grapple  now  in  the  fray! 

[84] 


3 
Cold  guns  against  heated  guns, 
Fresh  crews  against  weary  crews, 
Wrathful  hearts  steeled  to  vengeance! 
What  will  the  issue  be  ? 

4 

As  in  far  fields  of  ether 
Suns  darting  thro'  spaces 
Unmeasured  by  Fancy 
Meet  in  sudden  collision : 
Across  the  vast  Universe 
Flares  the  flame  of  their  conflict, 
So  the  steel-bulwarkt  warships 
Rush  together  in  onset 
So  desperate  furious 
That  the  crash  of  their  impact, 
That  the  clash  of  their  ramming 
Make  the  very  Air  shudder. 

5 

Then  with  deep,  sullen  rumble, 
With  a  thunder  crescendo, 
With  an  outspirt  and  uprush 
Of  wallowing  water, 
Jetting  high  like  the  Jotuns 
That  leap  from  abysses, 
Boom  the  bursting  Torpedoes! 

6 

As  the  Shark,  when  the  Swordfish 
Thrusts  his  terrible  weapon 
Up  from  under  his  enemy, 
Sinks  paralyzed,  death-doomed, 

[85] 


So  the  might-compast  warships 

That  had  vented  their  cruelty 

On  the  opulent  Capital, 

One  after  the  other 

Meets  the  woe  that  was  waiting  them. 

7 
Diving  down  thro'  the  water, 
Gliding  close,  unsuspected, 
The  stealthy  assassins 
Apply  the  Torpedoes 
Heavy  loaded  with  lyddite, 
That  with  ravage  resistless 
Rake  the  Ships  to  their  vitals. 
Down  they  sink  as  if  maelstroms 
Had  swallowed  them  under. 
Oh,  their  Crews  and  their  Captains, 
Their  Boatswains  and  Gunners, 
Their  Pilots  and  Stokers, 
With  a  horrible  gurgle 
As  of  Souls  in  last  agonies, 
Are  drawn  under  and  vanish 
From  the  life  of  the  World ! 
The  costly  equipment, 
The  wonderful  Engines 
So  swift  and  obedient, 
The  great  rifled  Cannon 
All  polisht  and  beautiful, 
Lie  silent  and  useless 
In  the  black,  slimy  depths. 
Nevermore  may  they  rise  again 
Save  with  blessings  for  Man ! 

[86] 


THE  HORROR  OF  WAR 

1  Agitato 

Oh,  the  horror  of  War,  and  the  waste! 
Fair  Countries  deflowered  and  defaced ! 
Brave  lives  cut  off  in  their  prime. 
Noble  steeds  ript  open  and  maimed, 
Foul  passions  of  Fiends  —  every  crime! 
From  the  dimmest  beginning  of  Time 
The  War-Gods'  altars  have  flamed 
The  War-Gods  have  triumpht  unshamed, 
The  Valkyrior  have  not  ceased 
To  bear  to  Valhalla's  red  feast 
The  Souls  of  heroes  death-tamed ! 
Never  once  on  this  globe  for  a  day 
Has  Peace  universal  held  sway! 

2 

Wars  of  Conquest,  Ambition,  and  Greed, 
Of  Jealousy,  Envy,  and  Hate, 
Thro'  the  ages  of  History  succeed 
As  if  forever  decreed 
By  the  cruel  arbiter,  Fate; 
Wars  of  Freedom,  enkindled  by  Need, 
As  when  Bolivar,  Winkelried, 
Rienzi,  heedless  of  meed, 
Girt  on  the  implacable  sword 
And  swore  that  their  Race  should  be  freed, 
And,  followed  by  Heroes,  out-poured 
Their  lives  for  the  Land  they  adored ! 

[87] 


3 

When  Tyranny  blasts  with  his  curse 

The  weak  and  the  lowly,  enslaves 

The  lofty  of  mind,  if  Man  saves 

His  cowardly  life,  it  is  worse, 

Yea,  't  is  a  million  times  worse, 

Than  to  fight  for  the  Right,  tho'  he  braves 

The  Death  that  he  knows  may  await! 

So  War  has  his  glories  and  praise, 

And  the  Freeman  who  fights  and  who  falls 

Is  worthy  of  living  in  Lays 

Sung  by  Nations  in  Liberty's  Halls! 


VI 
ENCOMIUM  OF  HEROES 

1  Moderato 

Hail!  ye  Sons  of  Glory 

Thro'  the  crowding  ages 

Shining  on  the  pages 
Of  your  Nation's  story! 
Who  with  hearts  defiant 

Took  the  desperate  chances, 

Faced  the  serried  lances 
Of  the  tyrant  giant, 
Gladly,  grandly  perisht 

With  a  Faith  unshaken 

In  the  Sword  once  taken 
For  the  Cause  they  'd  cherisht. 

[88] 


2 
Hail!  ye  unknown  martyrs, 

Dying  unrewarded, 

Your  names  not  recorded, 
Ye  won  Freedom's  charters! 
Ere  the  Day  star  mounted, 

While  the  East  still  darkened, 

Duty's  Voice  ye  harkened; 
Forth  ye  came  uncounted, 
Courting  posts  of  Peril, 

Doing  deeds  of  daring, 

Life  and  love  not  sparing, 
For  a  Promise  sterile ! 

3  Con  fuoco 

Hail!  thrice  hail  with  paeans, 

Freedom's  rising  Sun! 
Let  the  coming  aeons 

Chant  the  Victory  won! 
Tyranny  is  ended, 

War,  the  Demon  dread, 
All  his  spite  expended, 

From  the  Earth  is  fled! 

4 

Bells  with  melodious  clangour 

Ring  out  the  Era  of  Pain, 
Selfishness,  Cruelty,  Anger, 

Arrogance,  Pride,  and  Disdain! 
Ring  in  the  era  predicted 

Often  of  yore  by  the  seers :  — 
Joy  for  the  sad  and  afflicted, 

Laughter  for  sighing  and  tears; 
[89] 


Brotherhood,  Kindness,  Devotion, 

Sympathy,  Patience,  and  Love! 
Peace  on  the  Land,  on  the  Ocean  — 

Peace  with  the  wings  of  the  Dove ! 
Organ  —  instruments  —  voices 

Blend  in  ecstatic  accord ! 
Chant  of  the  Peace  that  rejoices, 

Chant  of  the  Love  of  the  Lord ! 


VII 
THE  REIGN  OF  PEACE 

1  Animato 

In  the  ruthful  Reign  of  Peace 

When  War's  red  flag  is  furled, 
When  all  Armies  find  release 

Around  the  waking  World, 
When  the  battle-scars  are  healed, 

War's  wicked  waste  redeemed, 
Nobler  powers  shall  be  revealed 

Than  ever  Prophet  dreamed. 

2 
Fabled  tales  of  Paradise, 

The  Poet's  Age  of  Gold, 
Which  in  Fancy  took  their  rise, 

Shall  be  surpast  tenfold. 
Gold  that  winged  Destruction's  blasts, 

That  idle  armies  fed, 
That  provided  Death's  repasts 

Of  men  untimely  dead, 
[90] 


Turned  to  use  beneficent 

Will  change  the  face  of  Earth, 
Bring  about,  when  wisely  spent, 

The  end  of  Plague  and  Dearth; 
Lay  smooth  roads  across  the  land, 

For  traffic  and  for  pride, 
Where  broad  Rivers  shall  be  spanned 

With  Bridges  strong  and  wide; 
Found  Museums  where  shall  glow 

The  richest  stores  of  Art  — 
Schools  where  happy  youth  shall  grow 

In  grace  of  Mind  and  Heart, 
Colleges  where  Wisdom's  Fount 

Shall  flow  serene  and  pure  — 
Libraries  where  fast  shall  mount 

The  books  that  will  endure, 
Noble  Theatres  where  plays 

Worthy  of  worthiest  stage 
Show  how  the  Thespian  art  can  raise 

The  standards  of  an  age, 
Where  a  school  of  Song  shall  claim 

Great  Operas  that  shall  lift 
Their  composers  into  fame, 

By  reason  of  their  gift. 


3 

Sun-scorched,  arid  Wastes  shall  smile, 
With  flowers  and  fruits  and  grain; 

Water  led  by  many  a  wile 

Thro'  leagues  of  sandy  plain 


[91] 


Shall  awake  the  wilderness 
To  Beauty  and  to  Gain, 

Hosts  of  men  to  cheer  and  bless 
Who  once  had  toiled  in  vain. 


Cities  shall  be  beautified 

With  all  that  Art  and  Wealth 
From  the  broad  World  can  provide 

For  comfort,  pleasure,  health  :- 
Parks  where  every  tree  and  flower 

Shall  yield  the  eye  delight, 
Fountains  where  the  crystal  shower 

Shall  cool  the  Summer  night; 
Groves  where  joyous  birds  shall  sing 

And  raptured  lovers  rove; 
Halls  where  Eloquence  shall  bring 

Her  power  to  thrill  and  move; 
Statues  cast  from  richest  bronze, 

From  purest  marble  hewed; 
Splendid  arches  whose  carved  stones 

With  voices  are  endued, 
Telling  of  the  glorious  lives 

Heroic  yeomen  led 
Thro'  whom  Liberty  survives, 

And  Happiness  is  spread. 


Music  shall  sound  everywhere, 

Like  founts  of  generous  Wine, 

Lightening  human  grief  and  care 
With  harmonies  divine. 
[92] 


Poverty  will  be  a  name, 

For  Work  shall  hold  for  all; 
Sweet  Philanthropy  shall  flame 

Where'er  mischance  befall; 
Bitter  rivalries  of  Trade, 

Shall  yield  to  saner  ways; 
Strikes  shall  cease  with  Justice  made 

The  measurer  of  men's  days, 
Arbitration  sit  on  high 

To  settle  feud  and  broil; 
Wise  Co-operation's  tie 

Shall  bind  the  sons  of  toil. 

6 

Education's  flower  shall  bloom, 

In  Childhood's  freshest  time; 
Children  shall  not  meet  their  doom 

By  drifting  into  crime, 
When  the  hand  of  Sympathy 

Can  lead  them  safe  along 
In  the  path  of  probity 

And  leave  them  wise  and  strong. 

7 
Prisons  shall  be  tactful  schools 

Where  weaker  men  may  learn 
Life's  inexorable  rules  — 

The  power  and  will  to  earn ! 
Wealth  —  the  unearned  increment  — 

Shall  be  a  public  trust, 
Ne'er  for  selfish  pleasure  spent 

Or  kept  for  Lucre's  lust. 
[93] 


8 
When  the  Golden  Rule  shall  gain 

The  Sanction  of  mankind, 
When  the  Son  of  God  shall  reign 

O'er  Heart  and  Soul  and  Mind, 
Saints  will  not  have  prayed  in  vain 

Nor  Martyrs  life  resigned. 


VIII 
THE  PROPHETS 

1  Allegro 

This  was  the  glory  the  Prophets  foretold, 
Shadowed  forth  in  the  legends  of  old :  — 
Garden  of  Eden  and  Age  of  Gold. 

Some  looked  back  and  beheld  it  there : 
Splendid  Vision  seductive  and  fair 
Beckoning  men  its  blessings  to  share. 

3 

Hebrew  Isaiah  saw  it  shine  from  afar, 
Dazzling  and  bright  like  the  Morning  Star, 
Harbinger  true  of  Day's  hastening  car. 

4 

Vergil  beheld  it  with  eyes  of  a  seer: 
Still  it  was  far  but  to  him  it  seemed  near, 
So  was  the  glory  triumphant  and  clear. 

[94] 


5 

Christ,  on  the  cross,  knew  its  Beauty  would  rise  — 
Looking  aloft  with  Pain-clarified  eyes, 
Seeing  the  Promise  in  cloud-darkened  skies. 

6 
John,  in  his  Mediterranean  Isle, 
Saw  the  Peace  Angel's  enrapturing  smile 
Beam  as  he  poised  his  flame-pointed  style. 

7 
Paul,  with  his  fiery,  unquenchable  zeal, 
Paused  in  his  orbit  one  glimpse  to  reveal 
Light  that  should  lift,  Heavenly  Hope  that  should  heal. 

8 
Dante,  in  exile's  disconsolate  Hell, 
Suffered  his  woe  with  more  calm  that  there  fell 
Clear  from  the  Vision  the  ineffable  spell. 


9 
Huig  van  Groot,  Jurist,  Statesman,  and  Bard, 
Prophesied  joy  for  all  Lands  evil-starred, 
Mourning  that  Kings  should  the  blessing  retard. 


10 
Others  unnamed  saw  the  same  golden  gleam 
Radiantly  forth  from  the  Star  blaze  and  stream, 
Wondering;  were  they  deceived  by  a  dream  ? 

[95] 


11 

Brighter  and  brighter  it  shone  in  the  East, 
Day's  lusty  fire  slowly  spread  and  increast; 
Zendiks  and  scoffers  their  cavillings  ceast ! 


12 

Loudest  outspake  a  Bavarian  Jew:  — 
"War  is  barbaric!  conditions  are  new; 
Nations  a  peaceable  life  must  pursue." 

13 

He  was  upheld  by  the  great  white  Tsar : 
"Bring  all  disputes  to  the  Judgment-Bar. 
Reason  shall  rule  as  men's  guiding  Star. 

14 

"  Let  us  our  standing  armies  disband, 
Let  us  all  join  the  friendly  hand! 
Then  shall  Peace  reign  in  every  land." 

15 

Why  was  not  heeded  the  solemn  call  ? 

Why  was  the  gauntlet  of  Discord  let  fall  ? 

Why  were  the  War-steeds  released  from  the  stall  ? 

16 

So  it  was  fated :  ere  Storms  should  assuage 
Fiercer  than  ever  the  Winds  should  rage, 
Giant  forces  in  conflict  engage. 

[96] 


17 

Now  it  is  finisht :  the  Tempest  is  done. 
High  in  the  East  the  Jubilant  Sun 
Shines  on  the  Victory  Freedom  has  won ! 


IX 
EXULTATION 

1  Presto 

Ring  out,  exultant  Bells ! 

Shout  thro'  the  echoing  streets ! 
The  joyous  jargon  swells; 

Each  tongue  the  note  repeats :  — 


2 
"  The  War  is  ended ! 

Peace  plumes  her  wings! 
The  Victory  splendid 

Makes  beggars  Kings! 


3 

"  War  never  more 

In  wrath  shall  soar 
Above  the  lands ! 

And  Foes  of  yore 
Strike  friendly  hands!'5 
[97] 


X 

Un  poco  meno  mosso 
In  the  Cathedral,  the  Orchestra,  Organ,  and  Chorus, 

Yea,  and  the  Congregation, 
Chime  in  a  patriot  Hymn  sublime  and  sonorous, 

Voicing  their  adoration. 
Up  thro'  the  arches  the  volume  of  Harmony  rolling 

Swells  like  the  chant  of  the  Ocean, 
Hearts  of  the  sad  and  bereaved  relieving,  consoling, 

Bowing  the  Proud  in  devotion. 


XI 
THE  PATRIOT  HYMN 

1  Grandioso 

Oh,  Country,  fair  and  grand, 
Our  glorious  Fatherland, 

Superb,  star-crowned  — 
By  Freedom's  breezes  fanned, 
Firm  in  thy  mountain  band, 
That  guard  on  every  hand 

Thy  sacred  ground! 

Thy  children  come  to-day 
A  wreath  of  love  to  lay 

Before  thy  feet. 
In  festival  array, 
With  jocund  hearts  and  gay, 
Our  homage  pure  we  pay; 

With  song  we  meet! 
[98] 


3 
In  War's  hard  Wilderness, 
With  bitter  storm  and  stress, 

We've  tarried  long. 
Now  Peace  thy  sons  shall  bless! 
As  on  and  up  they  press, 
Freedom  and  Righteousness 

Shall  make  them  strong! 


Strong  in  the  cause  of  Right 
To  aid  the  weak  with  might 

Born  of  the  Truth; 
Strong  as  the  hosts  of  Light 
Arrayed  against  the  Night, 
To  put  all  wrong  to  flight 

With  zeal  of  Youth! 


5 

We  are  thy  Sword  and  Shield ! 
To  thee  our  all  we  yield 

At  thy  Command. 
But  when  War's  wounds  are  healed, 
In  workshop  and  in  field, 
Our  love  is  best  revealed, 

Dear  Native  Land! 


[99] 


XII 
IT  IS  NO  DREAM 

1  Andante 

Is  it  a  dream  —  a  poet's  fanciful  dream  ? 

Must  the  old  World  go  on  forever 
Catching  only  the  Glory's  vanishing  gleam, 

Mocking  its  blind  and  pathetic  endeavour 
As  with  the  Cynic's  laugh  of  derision  ? 

Is  there  no  truth  in  the  Vision  ? 

2 
Art  gives  the  answer!   Dignified,  glorious  Art, 

Seeking  forever  for  Truth  in  expression, 
Picturing  Beauty  and  Grace  to  every  Heart, 

Holding  the  Universe  in  his  possession :  — 
"Yea,  it  shall  dawn,  the  new  Era  superb, 

Which  no  War  shall  disturb." 

3 
Music  the  answer  gives,  Music,  the  Heavenly  Maid, 

Daughter  of  Deity,  Soother  of  Passions, 
When  on  the  sounding  keys  her  fingers  are  laid, 

Gives  she  the  promise  in  manifold  fashions :  — 
"Discord  shall  surely  resolve  into  Beauty, 

Harmony  ever  be  Duty!" 

4 
Love  gives  the  answer  —  Love,  the  Spirit  divine, 

Swinging  the  worlds  in  cosmical  order, 
Ruling  wherever  a  mote  of  Life  may  shine 

[100] 


■     ■ 


Even  to  Space's  remotest  border:  — 
"Yes,  it  is  coming,  my  reign  is  at  hand, 
Blessing  every  land." 

5 

Also  the  Poet,  with  far-seeing  eyes,  ne'er  deceived, 
Looking  beyond  the  sombre  curtain, 

Gives  the  reply.     It  must  be  by  all  men  believed :  — 
"Law  is  the  Truth  and  the  Truth  is  certain. 

Yea,  it  is  coming  —  the  Age  men  have  sighed  for, 
Patriots  and  Martyrs  have  died  for!" 


XIII 
EPILOGUE 

1  Presto 

In  the  vast  Cathedral 
Filled  with  twilight  shadows, 
Empty  of  the  people, 
Sits  the  Master-Poet 
At  the  conscious  Organ, 
Dreamily  improvising; 
And  the  tones  in  billows, 
Swelling,  dying,  rising, 
Hint  the  deepest  feelings 
Mortal  Heart  may  cherish  — 
Subtle,  strange  revealings 
As  from  men  that  perish, 
Once  for  all  confiding 
Secrets  they  were  hiding; 
[101] 


2 
Lo,  before  his  Fancy, 
By  weird  necromancy, 
Glow  the  Past  and  Future :  — 
Pictures  which  the  Music 
Colors  and  interprets :  — 


Woodsmen  in  the  mountains 
Felling  ancient  forests ; 
Miners  darkly  delving 
In  the  noisome  caverns 
Hollowed  by  their  mattocks; 
Sailors  on  the  ocean 
Battling  with  the  tempests; 
Artisans  in  workshops 
Voicing  dulcet  organs, 
Fitting  and  contriving; 
Poets  —  being  makers  — 
Builders  of  Cathedrals; 
Painters  giving  canvas 
Life  in  blended  colours, 
Recreating  Nature 
With  a  God-like  impulse; 
Sculptors  hewing  marble 
Into  shapes  of  Beauty 
Which  the  world  shall  treasure; 
Architects  whose  triumphs 
Fill  the  soul  with  wonder; 
Zealous  scholars  searching 
Into  God's  arcana. 
[102] 


In  the  vision  enter 
Weddings,  consecrations, 
Wars  among  the  nations, 
Armies  marching,  melting 
'Neath  the  hail  of  bullets; 
Festivals,  rejoicings, 
Funerals  of  Statesmen, 
Obsequies  of  heroes, 
Dying  for  their  fellows; 
And  the  dawning  Era 
With  its  certain  changes, 
With  its  perfect  Freedom 
Reconciled  with  Service, 
With  its  hope  for  Woman 
Last  emancipated 
From  the  chains  of  Bondage, 
From  Convention's  thralldom, 
With  its  joy  for  Childhood 
Given  scope  and  training, 
With  its  recognition 
Of  the  rights  of  Labour, 
With  its  Law  of  Beauty 
Everywhere  prevailing,  — 
Make  the  mighty  motive 
In  the  woven  concord 
Of  the  final  psean 
Swelling  from  the  Organ. 


FINIS 


[103] 


ONWARD 
A   VISION    OF    PEACE 

SYMPHONIC  PICTURES 

IN 

NINE  MOVEMENTS 


PROGRESS 

1 

The  Glacier,  gray  with  star-dust,  sifted  down 

Thro'  immemorial  time,  no  change  displays. 

It  fills  the  gulf  where  snow-clad  Mountains  frown, 
And  lifeless  mid  a  living  Nature  stays. 

Illusion !    'T  is  alive  with  ceaseless  Flow  — 

The  gauge  of  Science  marks  the  onward  trend 

In  that  majestic  stream  of  ice  and  snow 

Whose  sources  from  the  Alpine  heights  descend. 

3 

Its  gravitating  masses  slowly  march 

With  irresistible  impulse  toward  the  Sea; 

And  in  the  valley  from  a  crystal  arch 

Bursts  forth  a  new-born  River,  full  and  free! 

4 
So  to  the  narrow  vision  oft  appears 

Inert  and  barren,  to  all  progress  barred, 
Thro'  long  succession  of  monotonous  years 

Mankind's  pathetic  story,  evil-starred. 

5 

Widen  the  outlook!  Find  a  broader  range! 

Measure  by  centuries!  Behold!  Compare! 
Beneath  the  frozen  mass  is  endless  Change; 

The  World  progresses,  foul  grows  into  fair. 

[107] 


6 
Glance  back  across  the  centuries :  —  At  what  time 

Should  we  prefer  to  set  the  term  of  life  ? 
The  Reign  of  Saturn  with  its  joy  sublime 

Was  never  known  in  those  stern  days  of  strife. 

7  | 
The  Now  forever  beckons  from  the  Past, 

In  spite  of  dim  Traditions,  Legends  old ; 
To-day's  attainment  also  will  not  last; 

The  Future  holds  the  fabled  Age  of  Gold. 

8  ! 
We  gain  contentment  from  a  calm  survey 

Of  vanisht  epochs,  great,  tho'  less  than  ours; 
But  Hope  still  promises  a  better  day 

When  Peace  shall  reign  among  the  rival  Powers. 

9  I 

That  Day  is  surely  coming!  Prophets  strewn 

Like  watchmen  thro'  the  Night  have  had  their  eyes 

Fixt  on  the  Orient,  where  when  Night  has  flown 
That  blessed  dawn  upon  the  World  shall  rise. 

10 
I  sing  of  Progress :  from  the  gloomiest  mirk 

Of  Savagery,  where  human  thought's  faint  germ 
Might  hardly  in  its  embryo  seem  to  lurk, 

Yet  waiting,  like  all  births,  its  fruitful  term; 

11 
Thro'  great  sporadic  outbursts  of  the  Mind, 
In  Civilizations,  passing  rich  and  grand, 
When  godlike  Wisdom  came  to  crown  Mankind 
And  Intellect  the  Universe  outspanned; 

[108] 


12 

Then  reaching  forward  with  prophetic  glance, 
We  see  the  better  Eras  still  to  be; 

We  recognize  that  it  is  God,  not  Chance, 
That  weaves  the  mystic  web  of  History. 


II 
THE  CAVE  DWELLERS 

1 
Thro'  the  slow  evolution  of  ages, 

Since  the  first  cosmic  vortex  was  whirled, 
With  a  wondrous  succession  of  stages 

Came  Man  to  the  heart  of  the  world. 

He  swam  as  a  fish  in  the  Ocean, 

He  flew  in  the  air  as  a  bird; 
He  crept  with  a  serpentine  motion; 

He  was  scaly,  and  feathered,  and  furred. 

3 

He  hung  by  his  tail  from  the  branches 

Of  forests  of  palm  and  of  fern; 
He  sat  like  a  bear  on  his  haunches ; 

Oh,  the  aeons  it  took  him  to  learn! 

4 

At  last  his  vertebras  strengthened; 

On  his  legs,  and  upright,  he  could  walk; 
The  list  of  his  vocables  lengthened  — 

He  was  Man:  he  could  think,  he  could  talk! 

[109] 


5 
And  one  day  when  he  tremblingly  cowered 

In  the  clammy  gloom  of  his  cave, 
When  the  Thunder-cloud  threat'ningly  lowered 

And  he  heard  the  fierce  winds  madly  rave, 
He  beheld  the  God  of  the  Thunder 

Ride  by  in  his  chariot  of  flame ; 
And  he  knelt  in  worship  and  wonder, 

And  he  called  the  God  by  his  name. 

6 

About  him  the  lightnings  were  flashing; 

The  air  was  red  as  with  wrath, 
And  the  trees  fell  cracking  and  crashing 

Along  the  Hurricane's  path. 

7 
But  when  the  tumult  was  ended, 

Behold  a  stump  was  on  fire : 
Prometheus  to  earth  had  descended 

To  teach  Mankind  to  aspire. 

8 

The  stump  was  a  primitive  Altar; 

The  Temple  a  grove  on  the  hill; 
Henceforth  the  Faith  should  not  falter, 

The  sound  of  the  worship  grow  still. 

9 

From  the  fire  grew  Civilization ; 

The  metals  were  worked  into  tools  — 
Into  weapons  for  nation  'gainst  nation, 

Into  gyves  for  knaves  and  for  fools. 

[110] 


10 
To  the  men  that  lived  in  those  ages, 

The  ages  of  Iron  and  Brass  — 
To  even  the  Priests  and  the  Sages  — 

How  slow  seemed  abuses  to  pass. 

11 

But  still  there  was  Gain ;  we  detect  it 

From  the  vantage  of  distance  and  time; 

Wars  and  barbarous  creeds  may  have  checkt  it; 
But  the  Race  was  beginning  to  climb. 

12 

The  Potter  and  Sculptor  and  Painter 
Evolved  new  forms  for  their  Art; 

Crude  colours  grew  softer  and  fainter, 
And  Poesy  rose  from  the  heart. 

13 

Those  primitive  tribes  had  their  glory; 

But  't  is  buried  in  mounds  and  in  mould; 
Long  and  tragic  their  terrible  story; 

Not  as  yet  dawned  the  Era  of  Gold. 


Ill 
THE  EGYPTIANS 

1 

Along  the  valley  where  the  Nile 
Forever  makes  the  Desert  smile, 
A  mighty  population  flourisht 
On  the  great  River's  bounty  nourisht. 

[Ill] 


Vast  hordes  of  slaves  rich  gardens  tilled; 

They  worked  the  cumbrous  pumps  and  filled 

The  ditches  with  the  slimy  flood; 

The  whip-lash  stained  their  backs  with  blood. 

They  quarried  blocks  of  syenite 

On  distant  Sinai's  laboured  height, 

And  rolled  them  over  leagues  of  sand, 

By  blasts  of  fierce  Sirocco  fanned; 

And  piled  the  giant  Pyramid 

'Neath  which  their  mummied  Kings  were  hid; 

They  carved  the  Sphinx  whose  mystic  eyes 

Look  forth  so  solemn,  calm,  and  wise; 

They  built  them  temples  gray  and  grand 

Thro'  countless  centuries  to  stand  — 

Where  even  now  the  Black  and  Red 

Glow  rich  as  when  they  first  were  spread; 

Their  priests  were  verst  in  magic  lore 

And  taught  what  Gods  men  should  adore. 

2 
The  dynasties  of  Hyksos  Kings 
Grew  haughty  with  their  harvestings. 
The  few  by  power  and  wealth  were  cherisht; 
The  wretched  millions,  toiling,  perisht. 
Where  now  is  that  swart  Pharaoh 
Whose  hieroglyphics,  row  on  row, 
Relate  his  titles  and  his  name, 
The  realms  he  conquered  and  their  fame  ? 

3 

He  and  his  haughty  Court  are  dust; 
His  treasures  food  for  moth  and  rust; 

[112] 


But  while  they  lived  their  Power  seemed  solid 
Their  slaves  obeyed  with  patience  stolid; 
They  bowed  to  Fate  and  acquiesced 
Unquestioning  if  that  way  were  best. 
It  seemed  as  if  that  realm  would  last 
As  thro'  the  ages  of  the  Past; 
But  none  the  less  the  Fatal  Stroke 
Boomed  on  the  Doom-bell :  Men  awoke. 

4 
The  Gods  of  Egypt  slunk  away  — 
Dog-headed  idols  made  of  clay, 
Disgusting  monsters,  vulture-beaked 
With  glaring  colors  pied  and  streaked. 
New  Faiths  arose;  new  prayers  were  said; 
Closed  was  the  dread  Book  of  the  Dead, 
Forgotten  and  no  longer  read. 

5 

Known  is  the  mystery  of  the  Nile; 
His  flood  has  swallowed  Philse's  isle; 
But  still  the  Fellahin  are  bowed 
Beneath  the  yoke  of  masters  proud. 
Not  yet  has  Freedom's  glorious  dream 
Inspired  the  slaves  that  ply  that  stream; 
But  they  shall  sometime  catch  the  gleam 
That  shines  as  from  a  rising  Star 
On  happier  nations,  near  and  far. 


[113] 


IV 
THE  HELLENES 

What  is  the  story  of  Hellas,  throned  by  her  wine-col- 
oured main  — 
Hellas,  whose  glory  was  Athens,  a  glory  that  dazzled  in 

vain  ? 
There  were  the  mountains  of  marble  as  glittering- white 

as  the  snow, 
Quarried  for  shrines  of  the  Gods,  for  statues  with  beauty 

aglow. 
There  was  Genius,  ever  awake  to  build  and  to  carve  — 

to  create; 
Why  from  those  quarried  states  could  they  never  fashion 

a  State  ? 
Sparta  was  jealous  of  Athens  and  Thebes  was  drunken 

with  pride; 
Each  little  town  stood  alone  and  aloof  without  Wisdom 

to  guide. 
Oh,  the  splendour  of  Athens,  the  Acropolis,  Parthenon- 
crowned  ; 
Chryselephantine  altars  with  olive  and  myrtle  wreaths 

bound ! 
Beauty,  the  chrysm  of  the  Gods  that  worked  its  ineffable 

spell ! 
Could  they  not  see  Aphrodite  borne  o'er  the  Sea  in  her 

shell, 
Lovely  of  limb  and  face,  with  her  bosom's  ravishing 

swell, 
Beckoning  men  to  the  rapture  of  Love  and  the  passion 

of  Lust, 

[114] 


Ever  to  find  that  the  apples  they  longed  for  were  ashes 

and  dust  ? 
Had  not  a  huntsman  been  blinded  when  by  chance  he 

espied 
Artemis  ringed  by  her  nymphs  and  striving  vainly  to 

hide? 
Had  not  Apollo  mingled  with  men  and  taught  them  to 

sing, 
Touching  his  tortoise-shell  harp  with  fingers  skilled  to 

the  string  ? 
Had  not  Athene,  the  Goddess  of  Wisdom,  dwelt  on 

their  Mountain, 
So  that  the  Liquid  gold  of  their  Genius  flowed  like  a 

fountain  — 
Poetry,  Music,  and  Art  became  as  the  air  that  they 

breathed, 
Grace  was  the  only  robe  required  for  the  dances  they 

wreathed  ? 
Pan,  too,  the  old  God  of  Nature,  whom  Poets  still  call  to 

their  aid, 
Did  he  not  lurk  mid  the  reeds  and  answer  the  prayers 

that  were  prayed  ? 
Then  was  the  glorious  Drama  a  power,  and  Festivals 

brought 
Thousands  to  listen  and  judge  and  learn  from  the  les- 
sons she  taught. 
Progress  surely  was  there !   Have  we  not  looked  back  to 

that  day 
Ever  with  deeper  regret  for  the  treasures  of  Art  swept 

away? 
Only  the  torsos  are  left,  the  temples  are  shattered  and 

crumbled ; 

[115] 


Cracked  and  splintered  the  columns,  the  friezes  in  rub- 
bish-heaps tumbled : 

Here  the  breast  of  an  Amazon,  there  the  hock  of  a  steed. 

Scarce  can  we  read  the  inscriptions  that  told  of  the 
memoried  deed; 

Most  of  the  poems  are  lost  and  the  Poets  are  only  a 
name, 

Leaving  a  broken  line  to  base  the  shaft  of  their  fame. 

Still  do  we  bend  our  Youth  to  drink  from  that  Well- 
spring  of  learning; 

Still  the  flame  of  Poesy  pure  on  those  altars  is  burning. 

Yet  is  the  Hellas  of  old  a  lesson  of  what  to  avoid : 

Still  was  the  noble  and  true  by  the  false  and  unworthy 
alloyed. 

Foolish  ambition  to  lead,  to  grasp  imperial  power:  — 

That  was  the  worm  in  the  heart  of  the  bud  that  cankered 
the  flower. 

4 

Fair  like  a  gem  in  the  Sea  lay  the  far  Trinacrian  isle ; 
Athens  would  make  it  her  own  by  force  of  arms  and  by 

guile ; 
Hence  in  a  few  short  years  lay  the  City  shorn  of  her 

strength ; 
Low  in  the  murderous  quarries  of  Syracuse  perisht  at 

length 
Athens'  generous  Youth  and  the  Glory  of  Hellas  was 

quenched : 
Shame  that  the  loveliest  soil  in  the  world  by  blood 

should  be  drenched! 


[116] 


V 

THE  ROMANS 

1 

Rome  arises  on  our  vision, 

Seated  on  her  seven-fold  hills; 

On  her  haughty  face  derision 

At  the  fear  her  glaive  instills. 

She  has  won  thro'  seas  of  slaughter 
She  is  mistress  of  the  World; 

Yet  success  has  never  taught  her 

How  her  war-flags  might  be  furled. 

3 

She  has  seized  the  wealth  of  cities ; 

She  has  drained  the  power  of  Kings; 
Hers  the  heart  that  never  pities, 

Hers  the  voice  that  never  sings. 

4 

Gems  pour  in  from  Persia  plundered; 

Statues  come  from  ravisht  Greece; 
Cynic  Gods  from  Egypt  sundered 

Jealous,  watch  her  might  increase. 

5 

Crafty,  treacherous,  splendid,  cruel, 
Recognized  by  all  as  Queen, 

On  her  brow  a  blood-red  jewel, 
Fierce  and  terrible  her  mien; 
[117] 


6 

Never  yet  of  conquest  sated, 

Distant  nations  she  subjects, 

She  is  feared,  distrusted,  hated, 

And  she  slays  whom  she  suspects. 

7 
Yet  these  victories  bring  their  dangers ; 

Wealth  and  Luxury  undermine; 
Virtue,  Honor,  scorned  as  strangers 

Cease  their  influence  benign. 

8 
Once  there  were  such  men  as  Cato 

To  reprove  the  waxing  shame; 
Cicero  to  thunder  veto, 

When  with  plunder  Verres  came. 

9 

Once  the  private  house  was  simple 

And  the  soldier  unadorned; 
Splendour  shone  in  public  temple 

And  the  Persian  pimp  was  scorned. 

10 
But  the  Roman  Empire  splendid, 

Built  by  force,  maintained  by  might, 
Over  all  the  Earth  extended, 

Had  to  meet  its  hopeless  night. 

11 

Fierce  barbarian  hordes  assailed  her, 
Rottenness  was  rife  at  home; 

Men  and  means,  when  needed,  failed  her; 
Numbered  were  the  days  of  Rome. 
[118] 


12 

Yet  how  slow  the  culmination, 

How  insensible,  decay; 
To  the  casual  observation 

Life  was  changeless  day  by  day. 

13 
Slaves,  once  princes,  toiled  and  languisht, 

Praying  to  their  Gods  in  vain; 
Christian  virgins,  martyr-anguisht, 

Hopeless  bore  the  pain  and  stain. 

14 
We  who  live  in  later  ages, 

We  who  doubt,  lose  faith,  distrust, 
Turn  those  dark  and  bloody  pages, 

Filled  with  cruelty  and  lust; 

15 

Learn  the  lesson,  hard  and  painful, 
See  how  Progress  wins  at  last. 

All  the  grievous  steps  were  gainful: 
Man  from  out  the  desert  past ! 

VI 
THE  RENAISSANCE 

1 

With  a  burst  of  crescent  Splendour,  like  the  dawning  of 
a  day  in  June, 

Came  the  waking  of  the  Ages  from  their  seeming  hope- 
less, deathlike  swoon. 

[119] 


Art  now  found  a  new  expression,  Christian  Faith  a 
myriad  Hearts  inspired, 

And  the  faces  of  Madonnas  deep  Devotion's  emulation 
fired: 

Martyrdoms  of  Saints  and  Virgins,  Crucifixions,  Resur- 
rections, scenes 

From  the  ancient  Legends  borrowed,  glowed  on  ceil- 
ings, walls,  and  screens. 

Colours  that  have  never  faded,  spread  by  Piety's  exul- 
tant hand, 

Made  Religion  seem  a  Passion,  showed  how  Beauty 
might  uplift  a  land. 

Botticelli,  Guido,  Rafael,  Leonardo,  Titian,  Angelo  — 

Mighty  host  of  reverent  Workers  spent  their  lives  that 
men  more  joy  might  know. 


2 

Splendid  Minsters,  proud  Cathedrals,  dominated  every 
bustling  town 

With  their  foliated  towers  on  the  feudal  Castle  looking 
down. 

Arching  forests  carved  in  marble  bent  above  the  tesse- 
lated  aisles; 

Statues  wrought  in  alabaster  heavenward  gazed  with 
their  enraptured  smiles; 

Altars  blazed  with  gold  and  jewels  lavisht  by  the  Faith- 
ful in  their  zeal ; 

Mullioned  windows  flashed  and  sparkled  with  the  sacred 
Story's  mute  appeal; 


[  120] 


3 
Music    caught    the    strains    of    Heaven  —  Harp    and 

Organ,  Viol,  Lute  and  Voice  — 
Wove  the  harmonies  celestial,  making  saddened  hearts 

of  men  rejoice. 
All  the  Sister  Arts  reviving  new  and  glorious  rivalries 

began : 
What  achievement!  what  fulfilment!  what  a  promise! 

what  a  Hope  for  Man ! 
Grecian  Poets  rediscovered   after  lying  Ages   all  un- 
known, 
Brought  the  world  fresh  inspiration,  taught  a  richer, 

fuller,  grander  tone. 
Aristotle  lent  Religion  help  to  mount  and  gain  new 

views  of  God; 
History  found  forgotten  pathways  where  the  feet  of 

Kleio  erst  had  trod. 


4 

Then  the  Language  of  the  People,  once  despised  as 

boorish,  crude,  and  low, 
Fitted  to  a  lyric  utterance,  with  a  magic  charm  began 

to  flow. 
Even  Dante,  sombre  scholar,  used  the  mellow  Tuscan 

tongue  to  tell 
Of  his  weird  and  fearful  journey  thro'  the  gruesome 

circles  into  Hell. 
And  the  sluggish  Masses  listening,  who  for  centuries 

had  like  cattle  borne 
Toil's  dull  burden,  Slavery's  whiplash,  felt  the  shackles 

from  their  spirits  torn. 

[121] 


5 

Learning's  winged  Coadjutor,  Literature's  ten-million- 
handed  Djinn  — 

Rose  the  Press  to  scatter  broadcast  treasures  which  the 
Priests  before  kept  in. 

So  the  Poet  had  his  audience  tho'  in  tongue  unknown 
and  strange  he  sang, 

And  the  Preacher's  ardent  Gospel  thro'  a  hundred  dis- 
tant cities  rang. 

Never  had  a  Power  so  mighty  bent  itself  to  mortal 
Man's  control, 

Spreading  Knowledge,  teaching  Wisdom,  widening 
outlook  for  the  Mind  and  Soul ! 

6 

Plunging  Westward  with  his  shallops  built  for  skim- 
ming o'er  the  Midland  Sea, 

Trusting  to  the  veering  Compass,  heeding  not  com- 
plaint or  mutiny, 

Steered  Colombo,  fondly  hoping  soon  to  find  the  clue  to 
far  Cathay; 

And  from  Kingdom  unto  Kingdom  flew  the  tidings  of  a 
World  that  lay 

Decked  with  gold  and  gems  and  beauty,  waiting  like 
a  virgin  Queen  unstained 

Ready  for  supreme  surrender  to  the  Hero  who  her  heart 
had  gained. 

7 
Here  was  room  for  Europe's  children,  for  the  Young, 

Adventurous,  and  Strong, 
Here  was  field  for  fresh  beginning,  chance  to  purge 
away  the  ancient  Wrong; 

[  122] 


Here  Democracy,  firm-rooted,  might  extend  its  bless- 
ings o'er  the  Earth, 

And  the  glorious  boon  of  Freedom  be  to  Man  as  primal 
Right  of  birth. 

8 

Rivers  rolled  their  balmy  waters,  longing  to  be  turned 
to  human  gain; 

Prairies  swept  to  dim  horizons  pregnant  with  the  myr- 
iad-bushelled grain, 

Where  the  wandering  herds  of  Bison  multiplied  without 
a  Master's  care; 

Fruits  and  flowers  in  lavish  Beauty  dropt  untasted, 
wasted  everywhere. 

Splendid-harboured  Lakes  extended  farther  than  the 
Eagle's  eye  could  see, 

Dreaming  of  the  teeming  Cities  that  in  fuller  days 
should  surely  be; 

Mountains  swelled  with  hidden  treasures,  royal-rich 
Golcondas  beckoning :  — 

"  Come,  explore  us,  rob  us,  use  us  —  wealth  is  here  be- 
yond your  reckoning!" 

9 
Many-marvelled  Age  portentous !    Climax  in  the  drama 

of  the  World! 
Pink  of  dawning!    Sunrise  glory!    Love-light  on  the 

Eastward  Sky  impearled! 
Those  that  watched  it  hailed  its  Beauty,  crying :  — 

"Lo!  at  last  the  Day  has  come; 
We  have  reacht  Time's  culmination,  now  begins  the 

Christ's  Millennium!" 

[123] 


Woe !  the  storm-clouds  swiftly  gathering,  shut  the  peace- 
ful-beaming Sky  from  sight. 

'T  was  a  False  Dawn!  overpowering  lowering  Blackness 
brought  again  the  Night! 

Once  again  the  same  old  Story !  Slavery  —  War  — 
Rapine  —  Self-seeking  —  Caste 

Deluged  the  New  World  with  anguish ;  streams  of  blood 
flowed  deep  as  in  the  Past. 

10 
Still  't  was  Progress!    Vast  improvement  marked  the 

Epoch;  nevermore  should  men 
Fail  among  the  rival  Nations,  that  should  teach  by  deed 

and  voice  and  pen 
Peace  and  Love  and  true  Religion,  high  Democracy 

and  Brotherhood: 
Failure  should    not  hide  the  Promise:   Final  perfect 

triumph  of  the  Good ! 


VII 
THE  PRESENT  DAY 

1 

The  tide  lifts  up  and  the  tide  sinks  back, 

And  how  foolish  were  that  man 
Who,  when  he  saw  the  waters  slack  — 

How  the  channels  outward  ran, 
How  the  boats  were  aground  and  the  flats  were  bare 
Should  curse  the  Moon  in  a  shrill  despair. 

[  124  ] 


2 
In  the  vaster  Ocean  of  human  life, 

There  are  strange,  mysterious  tides; 
There  are  years  of  torment,  destruction,  strife, 

Where  naught  that  is  fair  abides, 
And  the  weary  watcher  is  tempted  to  curse 
As  if  God  had  abandoned  his  Universe. 

3 

There  are  times  when  this  beautiful  Land  of  ours, 
With  its  stores  of  marvellous  wealth, 

With  its  promise  of  vast  beneficent  powers, 
With  its  glory  of  Youth  and  Health, 

Seems  to  have  reacht  its  summit  of  gain, 

And  its  Star  of  Triumph  were  destined  to  wane. 

4 
We  have  harnest  the  Lightning,  tamed  the  Sea; 

We  travel  on  wings  of  the  Wind ; 
We  have  conquered  the  Plague,  the  Slave  is  free; 

We  have  taught  the  knife  to  be  kind ; 
Education  flows  so  that  all  may  drink, 
And  the  humblest  boor  is  encouraged  to  think. 

5 

But  the  sterling  simplicity  served  by  our  sires 

Gives  way  to  Luxury's  vaunt; 
Died  down  are  Religion's  altar  fires; 

Too  many  still  perish  of  want; 
There  are  Pride  and  Conceit  and  Hatred  and  Caste, 
Injustice  and  Jealousy  as  in  the  Past. 

[125] 


6 
Not  jet  indeed  is  the  Promised  Time; 

We  are  far  from  the  destined  goal ; 
Desire  for  Wealth  still  tempts  to  crime; 

The  lust  of  Power  kills  the  Soul. 
'Twixt  the  Rich  and  the  Poor  a  gulf  is  fixt, 
And  the  aims  of  men  are  tangled  and  mixt. 

7 
Our  cities  are  ruled  by  thugs  and  thieves; 

Dishonor  is  paid  with  place ; 
The  official  shares  what  he  receives 

As  the  price  of  his  disgrace; 
The  Legislature  is  the  Lobby's  prey 
And  the  People  are  robbed  in  every  way. 

8 

The  Virtue  of  Reverence  stands  aloof; 

The  young,  grown  selfish  and  vain, 
Despise  grave  Wisdom's  mild  reproof 

And  the  life  that  is  lofty  and  plain; 
Relaxt  are  the  sacred  laws  of  Marriage, 
And  Justice  too  often  meets  miscarriage. 

9 

Democracy  hardly  trusts  her  powers; 

She  resigns  her  will  to  the  few; 
The  Negro  still  bends  his  back  and  cowers 

Uncertain  what  path  to  pursue; 
There  are  fearful  problems  and  dangers  ahead: 
But  the  Spirit  of  Liberty  is  not  dead. 

[126] 


10 

We  have  given  Cuba  her  Queenly  Crown, 
The  Isles  of  the  West  shall  have  theirs. 

The  White  shall  not  crush  the  Black  or  the  Brown. 
All  Nations  are  Freedom's  heirs ! 

We  cannot  hide  the  glorious  news. 

No  tribe  of  men  can  the  gift  refuse. 

11 

Oh,  never  before  in  the  story  of  Man 

Was  life  more  truly  worth  living, 
Nor  so  far  advanced  the  Spirit's  van, 

Nor  more  of  helping  and  giving. 
Yet  the  Drama  of  Progress  is  slowly  unrolled; 
Not  yet  indeed  is  the  Age  of  Gold. 


VIII 
THE  FUTURE 

1 

Prophet  Vision  sees  a  better  day 
In  the  future,  maybe  far  away, 
Yet  the  promise  of  it  certain : 
Might  I  only  lift  the  curtain! 

2 
Wars  of  every  stripe  shall  surely  cease; 
There  shall  dawn  the  happy  reign  of  Peace, 
Guaranteed  by  Arbitration, 
Reverenced  by  every  Nation. 

[127] 


All  the  Millions'  waste  in  needless  war 
(Foolish  trifles  men  have  battled  for!) 
Spent  in  costly  armoured-cruisers 
(Brutal  Hates  their  only  users!) 
Spent  in  cruel,  polisht,  rifled  guns, 
Wasting  smokeless  powder,  tons  and  tons, 
Spent  in  forts  and  standing  armies 
(Slow  men  are  to  learn  where  harm  is!), 
Shall  be  utilized  for  human  good 
When  the  Law  of  Love  is  understood. 

3 

Foolish  tariff-walls  shall  crumble, 
All  such  mockeries  shall  tumble; 
Liberty  of  Trade  shall  bring  mankind 
Whatsover  Wit  and  Will  may  find, 
Men  across  the  wide  world  ranging, 
Every  sort  of  wealth  exchanging. 

4 
Strife  of  Capital  and  Labour  ends; 
Enemies  no  longer  —  helpful  friends, 
Joined  in  common  enterprises 
Seize  advantage  as  it  rises, 
Yet  with  public  Spirit  in  control, 
Proving  Corporations  with  a  soul. 

5 

Cities,  purified  and  splendid, 
With  good  taste  and  wealth  unended, 
Served  by  citizens  of  ablest  mould 
For  high  Service'  sake  and  not  for  gold, 
Will  be  free  from  slums  and  hovels, 
Where  a  pauper  Misery  grovels. 

[128] 


6 
Glorious  buildings  shall  adorn  the  heights 
Claimed  for  Genius'  most  exalted  flights. 
Money  shall  be  spent  unstinted 
For  the  public  welfare  minted. 

7 
Old  Age  shall  no  longer  terrify, 
Zealous  Youth  shall  labour  and  lay  by; 
Genius  shall  not  know  the  sorrow 
Of  an  unprovided  morrow; 
There  will  always  be  enough  to  spare 
If  each  person  do  his  proper  share; 
Every  one  shall  have  in  measure 
Of  Life's  infinite  zest  and  pleasure. 

8 
Art  and  Music  shall  for  all  abound ; 
Peace  and  comfort  everywhere  be  found. 
Earth  shall  bloom  with  wondrous  beauty; 
Service  be  Man's  dearest  Duty. 
Thus  will  come  the  happy  Golden  Age 
Promised  Man  on  Love's  Prophetic  Page! 

IX 

THE  VISION  OF  PEACE 

O,  beautiful  Vision  of  Peace, 

Beam  bright  in  the  eyes  of  Man! 

The  host  of  the  meek  shall  increase, 
The  Prophets  are  leading  the  van. 
[129] 


Have  courage :  we  see  the  Morn ! 

Never  fear,  tho'  the  Now  be  dark ! 
Out  of  Night  the  Day  is  born; 

The  Fire  shall  live  from  the  spark. 
It  may  take  a  thousand  years 

Ere  the  Era  of  Peace  hold  sway. 
Look  back  and  the  Progress  cheers 

And  a  thousand  years  are  a  day ! 
The  World  grows  —  yet  not  by  chance; 

It  follows  some  marvellous  plan; 
Tho'  slow  to  our  wish  the  advance, 

God  rules  the  training  of  Man. 


FINIS 


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